Highlights from day one: EUROPE versus WOMEN, part two

In a heated debate about the major players in European decision making, WIDE participants managed to find some starting points in the battle for a better world.


By Esmeralda Tijhoff

Power has become so fragmented that it is hard to identify the people exercising this power. Activists must work together with scientists to locate these 'moving targets' of power. The EU seems almost 'supernatural'; nobody seems to know where it starts and where it ends. There are so many changing institutions involved that it is difficult to gain up to date knowledge about its activities, let alone how to hold it accountable.

To tackle this problem of 'superman', feminists have to deconstruct the notion of government, as well as the EU. If we talk about 'the' government, we have to put names next to the actions. Who are we talking about, and where do these people go when they leave politics and move to corporations?

Fears and opportunities
As many of you will have noticed, Europe has experienced a move 'to the right' in politics. Political parties from the right are gaining more votes. Although feminists are concerned by this move, we have failed to take the fears of ordinary people in the streets seriously.
Criminal networks are also growing because they provide people with social security and jobs. 'What do I say to the single mother with no job who grows a couple of marijuana plants in her attic?' one participants said. 'We lack the tools to address these issues!'

Feminist activists and scholars have to be engaged with the people and see, even experience, how these people are really grounded in their daily lives. Once we've located the fears and concerns of the people, we can come up with acceptable alternatives.


This article has been published in Daily Visions 10-10-2008