FEMINIST Hosts Film Screening and Panel Honoring Black Midwives and Gender-Expansive Leaders in Global Reproductive Justice

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Written By Feminist

On September 20th, FEMINIST partnered with the UN Foundation, Plan C, Autumn Breon, and Womanly Magazine for an inspiring film screening and panel discussion as part of UNGA's "Art, Care, & Action: Creating the Future of Reproductive Rights Around the Globe." Hosted at Neuehouse Madison Square, this dynamic event illuminated the powerful intersection of creativity, advocacy, and healthcare in the ongoing fight for reproductive justice.

The evening kicked off with a screening of the short documentary Bone Black: Midwives vs. the South by Imani Nikyah Dennison, which examines the rich history and systematic erasure of Black midwives in the American South. Following the screening, a thought-provoking panel featured Dennison alongside Attia Taylor, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Womanly Magazine, and Chanel L. Porchia-Albert, Founder and CEO of Ancient Song. Moderated by FEMINIST Co-Founder Aisha Becker-Burrowes, the discussion explored the lasting impact of historical erasure on maternal health, the current state of birth work, and ongoing efforts to combat institutional violence and systemic racism in healthcare. The panelists underscored the critical role of community-centered care in reproductive justice and highlighted how storytelling serves as a catalyst for change.

Afterwards, FEMINIST Co-Founder Ky Polanco led another engaging panel, "Reimagining Approaches to Global Reproductive Rights Challenges," featuring leaders who explored the intersections of environmental justice, youth-led organizing, art, and advocacy in advancing reproductive rights worldwide. Dr. Elena Bougaire emphasized the connection between environmental justice and reproductive rights in Africa, while Prabhleen Tuteja highlighted the importance of youth-led organizing in India and the Asia-Pacific as essential to safeguarding these rights. Autumn Breon discussed the transformative power of art in reshaping narratives, and Andreza Jorge focused on elevating marginalized voices in Brazil’s favelas. The discussion concluded with a powerful call for global collaboration to strengthen reproductive justice amidst rising threats.

Attendees also enjoyed Afro-Brazilian dance performances, a global reproductive rights panel, a survivor love letter, wellness services, and an art giveaway, all underscoring the importance of creativity and action in advancing these vital causes.

Feminist

FEMINIST is a women-led social-first digital media platform and collective that exists to actualize the intersectional feminist movement through the amplification of a diverse network of change-makers and creators. With a global audience of over 6.5M+, it is the largest social platform serving the multifaceted lives of women, girls and gender expansive people. As the hub for a socially conscious global community by and for purpose-driven makers through media, technology and commerce, FEMINIST seeks to amplify, educate, inform and inspire.

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