Researchers and students from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS - part of Erasmus University Rotterdam), played an active role in this conference on 27-28 March confronting gender inequality and envisioning new forms of solidarity and justice.
Bringing together 250 participants from across Europe, the two-day TRIBU26 in Antwerp (part of the 2026WOMEN Tribunal) created a space for sharing experiences, fostering dialogue and developing collective responses to injustice and violence.
Erasmus University Rotterdam was invited to contribute to this important initiative, with a delegation of more than 30 students and academic staff actively participating. From ISS, Dr Bilge Sahin, Dr Marhabo Saparova, Dr Cynthia Bejeno and PhD researcher Rui Wang, members of the Gender, Sexuality and Social Justice Research Team, took part in this collective effort.
ISS participants played a key role in moderating discussions and taking notes during the evidence collection sessions. Their work ensured that testimonies were carefully documented while also helping to create a respectful and supportive space for participants to share their experiences.
Beyond facilitation, ISS participants actively engaged in conversations on how to address the obstacles highlighted during the tribunal. They contributed to critical discussions on structural inequalities and explored ways to translate testimonies into concrete actions.
Additionally, they built meaningful connections with students from other faculties within Erasmus University Rotterdam and with women’s organizations across Europe, fostering opportunities for future collaboration and continued exchange.
Day 1: Art, Expression and Community
The first day of TRIBU26 saw a varied programme of performances and participatory workshops. A highlight was Melic, a poetic circus performance by If Circus, exploring themes of connection, memory, and care through the metaphor of knitting. At its centre was a continuously evolving hand-knitted rope, symbolically linking performers to shared histories and lived experiences.
Day 2: Testimonies and Evidence Collection
The second day focused on collecting testimonies structured around five thematic clusters: private, public, political and institutional, economic and cultural injustice.
Participants shared experiences ranging from domestic violence and public harassment to systemic inequalities such as wage gaps, unpaid care work and institutional failures.
These testimonies form a powerful body of evidence intended to inform future advocacy, policy discussions, and collective action toward gender justice.
TRIBU26 highlighted the strength of collective voices and the importance of collaboration in advancing gender justice
The tribunal concluded with a powerful closing ceremony where participants gathered to celebrate collective efforts.
Representatives from women’s organizations delivered inspiring speeches and performances, followed by a shared moment of singing and dancing. Participants were invited to place written wishes for women worldwide into a shared sculpture in a central square. Accompanied by collective singing, this act symbolized hope, unity and empowerment.
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The 2026WOMEN Tribunal commemorates the First International Women’s Tribunal of 1976, a landmark moment in feminist history when women from around testified against diverse forms of injustice and violence. This historic tribunal helped make women’s experiences visible and framed them as political issues rather than private concerns. Its legacy continues to influence feminist movements, activism, and policy debates on gender-based violence and inequality today.