Initiative for Inclusive Feminism

The Initiative for Inclusive Feminism (Norwegian: Inkluderende feminisme-initiativet; IFI) is a Norwegian national intersectional feminist organization that works for equality, diversity and inclusion on the basis of human rights.[1][2][3] It is Norway's main intersectional feminist organization. IFI emphasizes that feminism must be based on human rights and the struggles of vulnerable minorities, and IFI advocates for several vulnerable minority groups, focusing on issues like trans inclusion and anti-racism. Since 2022 IFI has organized Inclusive March 8 together with Sex og politikk (Planned Parenthood), FRI and other organizations.

Initiative for Inclusive Feminism
Inkluderende feminisme-initiativet
FormationMay 10, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-05-10)
FocusHuman rights, intersectional feminism
Location
  • Oslo, Bergen
LeaderMarianne Støle-Nilsen

History and focus

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IFI was formed by a group of feminists in 2022 to counter growing transphobia and anti-gender populism, and to build a broad and inclusive feminist movement in Norway, that works on the basis of human rights and respect for the human dignity of everyone. IFI emphasizes that feminism must be based on human rights and the ever-evolving struggles of vulnerable minorities.[1] The organization emerged from the informal network Inclusive Feminism, which was established in 2020 and had around a thousand members by 2024. The Inclusive Feminism network had its roots in a broad and cross-political "Call for Inclusive Feminism," which was published by 2,476 feminists in 2020.[4] In 2023, this was followed up by a feminist call against transphobia, signed by 2,611 feminists.[5]

The term inclusive feminism is often used synonymously with intersectional feminism, especially feminism that includes transgender people and other vulnerable minority groups. Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud Hanne Bjurstrøm pointed out that the desire for an inclusive feminism "aligns well with [Bufdir's attitude survey from 2017], which found that those who are skeptical of queer people, including trans people, are becoming fewer and fewer."[6] IFI's emphasis on an inclusive understanding of women's interests that takes into account gender and sexual diversity aligns with a modern human rights and women's rights perspective.[7]

While prejudices against minority groups have become less widespread among the general population, especially among the younger generation, the Extremism Commission's report in 2024 pointed out that LGBTQ+ rights are under increased pressure from extremist movements.[8] The Norwegian Police Security Service highlighted in their national threat assessments for 2023 and 2024 that there are indications that LGBTQ+ individuals will become more central targets for extremist groups going forward.[9][10] In 2024, UN Women warned about extreme anti-rights movements using hate propaganda and disinformation to target and attempt to delegitimize minority groups.[11] Norway has also been marked by anti-gender campaigns against transgender people in the 2020s.[12] Norway experienced a terrorist attack in 2022 targeting the queer community and Oslo Pride. Marianne Gulli, the president of FRI Oslo and Viken, stated that the Initiative for Inclusive Feminism "is important for creating a feminist community that has room for everyone."[13]

Inclusive March 8

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IFI organizes Inclusive March 8 in Oslo, one of the two major Women's Day events in Oslo, in collaboration with several other feminist and queer organizations such as Sex og politikk (Planned Parenthood) and its youth organization SNU, the Norwegian Organisation for Sexual and Gender Diversity (FRI), Queer World and radiOrakel.[14][15][16][17][18] Inclusive March 8 describes itself as an event that is open to all genders and that takes a stand against racism, transphobia, homophobia, fascism, and ableism.[19]

Organization

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IFI has members from all of Norway and is led by an executive board. Its leader is Marianne Støle-Nilsen.

References

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  1. ^ a b Støle-Nilsen, Marianne (2023). "Mot en inkluderende feminisme". Fett (1): 65–69.
  2. ^ "8. mars-dagen: Feministgruppe bryter ut i protest". VG. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  3. ^ "Inkluderende feminisme-initiativet". Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  4. ^ "Opprop for inkluderende kvinnekamp". Dagbladet. 2020-03-12.
  5. ^ "2611 feminister mot transfobi". Blikk. 2023-01-25.
  6. ^ "Ulike meninger er OK, å spre transhat er forbudt". Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  7. ^ Sørlie, Anniken; Grønningsæter, Andrea Vige; Arnesen, Lars Andre Strøm (2023). «Den transinkluderende kvinneretten». I Ingunn Ikdahl, Kirsten Sandberg, Julie Stewart, Vibeke Blaker Strand, Tone Linn Wærstad (red.). Hellums metode: Festskrift til Anne Hellum. s. 309–320. Gyldendal Akademisk
  8. ^ "NOU 2024: 3: Felles innsats mot ekstremisme". Government of Norway. 2024.
  9. ^ "Nasjonal trusselvurdering". Norwegian Police Security Service. 2023.
  10. ^ "Nasjonal trusselvurdering" (PDF). Norwegian Police Security Service. 2024.
  11. ^ "LGBTIQ+ communities and the anti-rights pushback: 5 things to know". UN Women. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  12. ^ Engebretsen, Elisabeth Lund (2024-05-02). "Slik skaper media mer trans- og homofobisk retorikk". M24.
  13. ^ "Marianne Gulli er nyvalgt styreleder – FRI Oslo og Viken". Fri Oslo og Viken. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Inkluderende 8. mars på Eidsvolls plass". Sex og politikk. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  15. ^ "Kvinnedagens paradoks". Universitas. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  16. ^ "En interseksjonell og inkluderende 8. mars". Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  17. ^ "Fri stiller seg bak Inkluderende feminisme". Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  18. ^ "Kvinneradioen markerer kvinnedagen". Lokalradio. Retrieved 2024-01-13. – På radiOrakel markerer vi 8. mars med å være med på alternativ 8. mars i regi av inkluderende feminisme
  19. ^ "Inkluderende 8. mars 2024 på Eidsvolls plass". Fri Oslo og Viken. Retrieved 2024-07-28.