Join the Disruption: Feminist Movements Across Southeast Asia Unite Against Anti-Gender Backlash

Two days of conversations, shared experiences, and collective action brought feminist activists and advocates from across Southeast Asia together to strengthen regional solidarity and develop strategies to counter the growing anti-gender backlash.

On 27–28 October 2026, the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA), together with the Women's Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB), Southeast Asia GBV Prevention Platform, and WEAVE – Weaving Women's Voices in Southeast Asia, co-organized the regional convergence space, “Join the Disruption, Be a Disruptor: Strengthening the Feminist Movement to Counter Anti-Gender Backlash,” under the ACSC/APF convergence.

The gathering brought together feminist activists and advocates from different countries to share experiences, reflect on the challenges facing their movements, and explore ways to strengthen collective resistance against the growing anti-gender backlash in the region.

Sharing experiences, building collective strategies

The first day opened a space for participants to discuss how anti-gender backlash manifests in their respective contexts, including the ways it affects feminist organizing, advocacy, and the rights of women and marginalized communities. Through conversations and exchanges, participants reflected on the challenges confronting their movements and the strategies that help sustain their work amid increasing pressure and resistance.

On the second day, participants turned these discussions into collective action by developing a regional feminist campaign cookbook. Bringing together lessons, strategies, and practical insights from different contexts, the activity explored the ingredients needed to build effective campaigns against anti-gender backlash.

The convergence also extended beyond formal discussions. Participants took to the conference spaces together, wearing their Disruptor shirts and carrying placards to make their calls for gender justice and equality visible. The collective action was a powerful reminder that feminist resistance is not confined to meeting rooms but it is also expressed through solidarity, public presence, and the courage to speak out.

The gathering concluded with a Solidarity Night, offering participants an opportunity to continue conversations, share stories, and build connections beyond the program. It was a reminder that sustaining feminist movements also means nurturing relationships, friendships, and spaces where people can connect and support one another.


Stronger movements through regional solidarity

The two-day convergence reaffirmed the importance of regional collaboration in responding to anti-gender backlash. While feminist movements face different realities across Southeast Asia, the experiences shared during the gathering highlighted common challenges and the need for collective strategies.

For FMA, being part of this initiative reinforces the importance of building spaces where feminist movements can exchange knowledge, strengthen connections, and develop shared responses to emerging threats to gender equality and human rights.

The gathering also reminded us that movement-building is not a solitary effort. It takes shared experiences, collective learning, trust, and sustained solidarity to keep feminist movements strong.

We are grateful to all the participants who brought their experiences, insights, and energy to the convergence, as well as to our co-organizers and everyone who helped make the gathering possible.

The backlash may be organized, but so is our resistance. We organize, we disrupt, and we move forward—together.