Some history on Latin America and Caribbean Feminist Encounters

From the early 1980’s, Latin American and Caribbean feminists have created a space for regional political organization: Latin American and Caribbean Feminist Encounters. Through these Encounters, they have been able to weave networks for collective action, to establish specific dates for common struggles, and to affirm political ties of identity and solidarity.

Encounters have been held every two to three years since 1981, date of the 1st Latin American and Caribbean Encounter in Bogotá, Colombia. The 10th Encounter will be in October, 2005, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Latin American and Caribbean Encounters have become a privileged place for dialogue, debate, conflicts, controversies and organization of coalitions among the various feminist lines of thought in the region. These Encounters are spaces for critical feminist reflection, sharing of ideas and perspectives, projects and dreams.

Women identified with feminism from the most diverse community and social movements meet at these Encounters. Participants come from many origins: women from different countries, social classes, age, sexual orientation and ethnic groups, with a multiplicity of political experiences and participation in the most varied organizations.

Feminist Encounters have been a place for important debates on feminism and women´s social activity in the region, for more than twenty years For example: the decision to observe the Day of no more violence against women on November 25 was taken on the 1st Encounter (Colombia, 1981). The Day of Decriminalization of Abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean, September 28th, originated in the 1990 Encounter, in Argentina.

Encounters have also fostered key feminist discussions in the region since de 1990´s:

1. Feminism related to other social movements;
2. Globalization, social exclusion and gender justice;
3. Observations pointed out by organizations of black, young and lesbian women regarding issues of inclusion and expansion in the feminist movement.
4. Institutionalization of feminist organizations;
5. Relation of feminism with governmental agencies, the UN, and international political institutions, among other matters of debate.

Encounters have also received the most diverse international feminist expressions.

Throughout their nine meetings there has been participation of women from North America and Europe.

Encounters held

1st Colombia, 1981
2nd Peru, 1983
3rd Brazil, 1985
4th Mexico, 1987
5th Argentina, 1990
6th El Salvador, 1993
7th Chile, 1996
8th Dominican Republic, 1999
9th Costa Rica, 2002