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 Razeen Florence Mbuyi SofianAbout the speakers:
Rula Asad – Moderator. Journalist, feminist researcher and co-founder of the Syrian Female Journalists Network.
Sofian – Cuir* activist from Argentina, engaged in movement building and social justice.
Razeen – Sudanese artist, raised in the Netherlands.
Rama Sabanekh – Palestinian bilingual producer and researcher based in Amman.
Florence Mbuyi – Writer and student of political philosophy.
Queer Choir Amsterdam – An artistic initiative creating a brave space to celebrate and nurture our unique identities and voices.
Cuir is the reclaimed Spanish-language form of “queer,” with its own political and cultural meaning in Latin American contexts.
