Rethinking peace from a feminist perspective – strengthening democratic societies
06.11.2026 I 11:30 am – 6:30 pm I Zoom
Organisation
Network of Kurdish Academics (Kurd-Akad)
In cooperation with
– Cornelia Goethe Centre for Gender Studies, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
– Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences
– Jineolojî Center Europe
– Marie Jahoda Centre for International Gender Studies at Ruhr University Bochum
– Innsbruck University
The topic
We live in a world of wars, crises and disasters. Patriarchal binary systems of disenfranchisement, violence, destruction of nature, femicide and authoritarianism are becoming increasingly extreme in their manifestations.
From a decolonial feminist and jineological perspective, this is countered by a consistent focus on peace and a free, good and democratic life. Peace is understood as a comprehensive social process that is inextricably linked to democratisation, gender justice and epistemic and legal justice. Women’s experiences of war, displacement, poverty, colonial and patriarchal violence are diverse and profound. Their contributions to peace work are equally diverse. In many traditional peace proceedings, women* are still predominantly perceived as passive victims or merely as those affected by war and violence. This misinterpretation prevents their perspectives from being taken seriously in the design of peace processes. However, precisely because of their multifaceted experiences, women* – especially those from decolonial contexts – are increasingly and emphatically demanding equal participation in peace negotiations. Their knowledge, organisation and perspectives are essential for conceiving peace as a social practice that opposes structural, cultural and epistemicinjustices.
Currently, Jineolojî, as the science of women, life and society, is gaining importance amidst the dialogue process in Turkey, and particularly Abdullah Öcalan’s initiative for peace on 27 February 2025. In this process, the Kurdish women’s movement will play a crucial role in this process because long experiences with changing the patriarchal penetration of all social, economic, political and personal relationships is regarded (to be) fundamental to achieve peace with dignity and justice.
The upcoming fourth conference in the series ‘Gender Studies meets Jineolojî’ will focus on peace and bring together feminist critiques of war and militarism as well as women’s concepts and practices of peace with the perspectives, analyses and experiences of Jineolojî.
Programme
Welcome:
Dersim Dağdeviren, Co-Chair of Kurd-Akad
Opening remarks:
Dr. Beate von Miquel, Executive Director of the Marie Jahoda Centre for International Gender Studies at Ruhr University Bochum
Dr Johanna Leinius, political scientist, Research Director of the Cornelia Goethe Centre for Gender Studies, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
Introduction to the subject:
Dr. Mechthild Exo, political scientist, Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences
Panel I: Peace theory, peace concepts and peace practice
Dr. Michaela Zöhrer, Sociologist, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences
Nesrin Akgül, Jineolojî Academy, Turkey
Moderation: Dr. Mechthild Exo, political scientist, Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences
Panel II: Transitional justice from a feminist perspective: peace requires justice
PD Dr. Simone Wisotzki, PRIF Leibniz Institute for Peace and Conflict Research
Dr. Nisan Alici, University of Derby, UK
Moderation: Dr. Christine Löw, political scientist, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main
Panel III: Perspectives on peace as a free, dignified, good, social life
Dr. Mawa Mohamed, sociologist, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main
Newroz Uysal Aslan, DEM Party MP, Turkey
Moderation: Dr. Münevver Azizoğlu-Bazan, social scientist, University of Bremen
Summary:
Ass. Prof. Marlene Schäfers, Utrecht University, Netherlands
Registration details:
Please register by 31 October 2026 via info@kurd-akad.com. The Zoom link will be sent by email once the registration deadline has passed.