The Feminist Perspective on the Tangled Crises of Environment and Militarisation
Militarisation and environmental collapse are often discussed as separate global challenges, yet in reality they are deeply interwoven. From a feminist and queer perspective, it becomes clear how systems of power, violence and exploitation not only shape armed conflicts but also accelerate ecological breakdowns. This conversation seeks to foreground perspectives from Syria, Sudan, Palestine, and Congo— contexts where the entanglement of war, displacement and environmental devastation is most acutely felt. Their experiences highlight the urgency of addressing these crises together rather than in isolation. We will explore how militarisation and environmental crises mutually reinforce each other, how increased defense budgets stand in stark contrast to cuts in refugee support and climate adaptation, and what ethical questions these policy choices raise. Most importantly, the discussion will reflect on what alternative actions, grounded in feminist and queer frameworks, can redirect resources and attention toward just, comprehensive and sustainable solutions for both people and planet.
Together with Rama Sabanekh Producer and researcher Razeen Artist Florence Mbuyi Writer & political philosophy student Sofian ActivistAbout the speakers:
Rula Asad is a journalist and feminist researcher, and a co-founder of the Syrian Female Journalists Network. With over 25 years of experience in feminist media, she consider herself a tenacious advocate for social justice. her expertise is diverse, spanning research, journalism, management, training, facilitation, and mentoring, with her work focused on the intersection of media and feminist movements. Her current topics of interest include militarization, the environment, and digital rights, with a particular focus on the regions of South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA).
Sofian is a cuir* activist from Argentina, engaged in movement building and social justice work for over 12 years. Committed to advancing social, environmental, and gender justice globally, their activism is grounded in radical tenderness and intersectional solidarity. They currently serve as Membership Coordinator at WILPF, one of the oldest anti-militarist feminist membership organisations.
Razeen is a Sudanese artist raised in the Netherlands, Razeen walks a thin line between his Sudanese/Afro-Arabic roots and his influences from Western pop culture. Raised between these two worlds, duality is a recurring theme in his music: God and taboos, masculinity and femininity, love and the ego, war and peace. He aims to show the interconnectivity of it all. Truly an artist in the broadest sense—one who cannot be defined or put into a box.
Queer Choir Amsterdam is an artistic initiative that premises the creation of a brave space to celebrate and nurture our unique identities and voices. Through our rehearsals and performances we express our ideas for the futures we desire and the narratives we want to share. The queer community often gathers and functions in spaces of celebration and nightlife all of which were greatly affected during the pandemic, this gave us an incentive to create our own safe space beyond these confines, one that is run by and for queer people.
Rama Sabanekh – Palestinian bilingual producer and researcher based in Amman.
Florence Mbuyi – Writer and student of political philosophy.
Cuir is the reclaimed Spanish-language form of “queer,” with its own political and cultural meaning in Latin American contexts.
