Congrès : "Combattre la violence fondée sur le genre" / Congress : "Combating Gender-based violence"

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

COMBATING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

3-6 July 2023 (in-person only)

IMPORTANT: The registration form is available HERE.

Venue: Lille Faculty of Law, Campus Moulins / 1, place Déliot - 59000 Lille (France) - see the detailed transport information in the attached file (get more information about Lille : https://en.lilletourism.com/)

Working Languages: French and English

SCOPE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

Keywords. Justice. Law. Feminism. Gender Studies. Jurisprudence. Equality. Language. Symbolic Order. Difference Feminism. Abuse. Violence. Stereotypes. Neglection. Vulnerability. Welfare. Mental health and Social Care. Anti-Discriminatory/Affirmative Actions. Human Rights. Freedom of Expression and Choice. Resilience. Queer studies. LGBTQ+ studies.

Our approach is therefore divided into 5 key steps

1- Identifying the chains of interaction by highlighting the material and psychological effects assumed in gender discrimination,

2- Describing these chains of interaction in academic, professional, legislative contexts and in the use of social networks in detail,

3- Historicizing narratives, concepts and categories of gender equality/equity and gender discrimination,

4- Revealing cultural meanings ascribed to specific practices in a defined space-time,

5- Delimiting political rationales behind the struggle against gender-based discrimination.

CONFERENCE ORGANIZER: Anne WAGNER

• Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal for the Semiotics of Law (Springer)
• Co-Series Editor with Sarah Marusek of Law and Visual Jurisprudence (Springer)
• Co-Series Editor with Sarah Marusek of Living Signs of Law (Springer)
• Co-Series Editor with Angela Condello of Gender, Justice and Legal Feminism (Springer)
• Co-Series Editor with Vijay K. Bhatia of Law, Language and Communication (Routledge)

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

• Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati, Associate Professor, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Department of International Studies and Global Affairs, Suzhou, China. 
• Rebecca Richman Cohen, Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School/Film Maker, Racing Horse Production, Cambridge, MA USA.
• Angela Condello, Tenure track Assistant Professor, University of Messina, Italy.
• Sarah Marusek, Professor of Public Law, Department of Political Science, University of Hawai’i Hilo, USA.
• Mario Ricca, Full Professor in Intercultural Law, University of Parma – Department of Law, Politics and International Studies, Italy.
• Anne Wagner, Research Associate Professor, CRDP, équipe René Demogue, Lille University, France.
• Rafif Zarea, PhD student, CRDP, équipe René Demogue, Lille University, France.

PUBLICATIONS

Selected papers will be included in our Law Book Series or in the International Journal. Further instructions will be mailed separately to each speaker once the conference is closed.

Gender, Justice and Legal Feminism: https://www.springer.com/series/17265

IJSL: https://www.springer.com/journal/11196

Law and Visual Jurisprudence: https://www.springer.com/series/16413

Living Signs of Law: https://www.springer.com/series/17299

 

Non-profit organizations attending the event:
- Ford Foundation: https://www.fordfoundation.org/our-work-around-the-world/west-africa/
- Panzi Foundation: https://panzifoundation.org/fr/
- Women Focus Canada, Inc.: https://www.womenfocuscanada.org
- Agence Nationale de Lutte Contre les Violences Faites à la Femme, à la Jeune et Petite Fille (AVIFEM): https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/africa/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/2009/avifem

Council of Europe:
Violence against Women Division – Division Violence à l'égard des femmes, Council of Europe - Conseil de l'Europe: http://www.coe.int/web/istanbul-convention
Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals: https://help.elearning.ext.coe.int

JULY 3

PANELS 1/3 / July 3 – Afternoon

Led by KUZELEWSKA, Elzbieta

University of Bialystok, Poland

Gender violence in academia

Gender violence in academia is an alarming and pervasive concern that deserves urgent action. It encompasses a wide range of abusive behaviors, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and assault, all of which negatively impact the well-being and career advancement of individuals. These acts perpetuate power imbalances, reinforce gender stereotypes, and create hostile environments that impede the pursuit of knowledge and academic development. Addressing gender violence in academia requires concerted efforts, including strong policies, comprehensive training programs, and a collective commitment to an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone can thrive without fear of violence or discrimination.

Keywords: Gender violence, Academia, Sexual Violence, Prevention, Higher Education, Sexual Harrassment.

PANEL 2 / July 3 – Afternoon

Led by ZAREA, Rafif

Université de Lille, CRDP, Equipe René Demogue, France

Combating gender-based violence in legal discourse

Gender-based violence remains a pervasive problem in many societies worldwide. This type of violence disproportionately affects women and girls, and its effects can be devastating, ranging from physical and psychological harm to loss of life. One critical area where the fight against gender-based violence takes place is in the legal realm. Laws and policies play a vital role in shaping societal attitudes towards gender-based violence, and the way it is addressed within the justice system. However, even in countries where gender-based violence is criminalized, the legal framework can still be flawed, allowing for impunity and making it difficult for victims to access justice. Therefore, it is crucial to examine how gender-based violence pervades in language and how to combat gender-based violence in legal discourse to ensure effective protection and justice for victims.

Keywords: Gender-based violence, Legal discourse, Narratives, Culture, Political discourse.

PANEL 4 / July 3 – Afternoon

Led by ALMEIDA DE ARAUJO, Alyane

Université de Lille / Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - LEREDS – CRDP, France / Brazil

Law & gender-based violence

Between the legal text and the social context of gender inequalities

As a social and widespread phenomenon, the gender-based violence is present in all of the world and has multiple causes and origins. This social phenomenon has several perspectives for analysis and one of them is found in the legal field. In the society, the law regulates the most varied spaces of public and private life, such as, for example, in the contractual and property relations, in the labor and corporate relations and into the family. This panel seeks to highlight how the legal text and the social context are articulated in the gender-based violence approach. A gender analysis perspective of law is important to know how legal mechanisms are capable of producing or reinforcing situations of gender inequalities, or, on the contrary, if the law can be articulated to avoid these situations in a dynamic perspective.

Keywords: Gender inequalities, Corporate violence, Remediation, Contract law, Labor Law.

JULY 4

PLENARY PANEL / July 4 - Morning

Led by RICHMAN COHEN, Rebecca

Harvard Law School and Racing Horse Productions, USA

https://recallreframed.com/

"The Recall: Reframed" screening of short film and conversation about carceral responses to violence against women

Sexual violence is a persistent problem in the United States, and American feminists devote enormous effort to addressing it.  But they do so primarily by seeking broadened criminal law and expanded policing in law enforcement in a country that has a racialized mass incarceration crisis and is notorious for its police brutality and poor prison conditions. In this panel, we will screen the forthcoming short documentary, THE RECALL: REFRAMED (20 minutes, MSNBC, dir Rebecca Richman Cohen), which examines unintended consequences of the 2018 California recall of Judge Aaron Persky, who sentenced Brock Turner, the Stanford student convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious victim, to six months incarceration. The film examines the recall effort to remove Persky as an example of the knee-jerk demand for harsh sentences to address sexual violence – a demand that disproportionately impacts low income and people of color. It asks how we might imagine better ways of addressing sexual violence and truly supporting survivors and opens the door to conversations about restorative and transformative justice. In addition to director Rebecca Richman Cohen, the panelists discussing the film are academics who have written extensively on the tensions that arise when progressive groups like feminists equate social justice with the imprisonment of the individual actors they identify as responsible for harm.

Keywords: Sexual violence, carceral feminism, racism.

1. Helena Alviar García, Professor of Law, Science Po Law School, France - https://www.sciencespo.fr/ecole-de-droit/fr/profile/helena-alviar-garcia.html
2. Donna Coker, Professor of Law, University of Miami School of Law, Miami, Florida, USA - https://people.miami.edu/profile/c0a19acf3f21a417cea4b7679dc9914d
3. Cynthia Godsoe, Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School, USA - https://www.brooklaw.edu/Contact-Us/Godsoe-Cynthia
4. Rebecca Richman Cohen, Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School, USA - https://hls.harvard.edu/faculty/rebecca-richman-cohen/
5. I. India Thusi, Professor of Law at Indiana University Bloomington Maurer School of Law, Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute and Legal Fellow at The Opportunity Agenda, USA - https://law.indiana.edu/about/people/details/thusi-i.-india.html

PANEL 1 / July 4 – Afternoon

Led by CHAPDELAINE-FELICIATI, Clara

Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University, China

Girls' positionalities at the intersection of identity and violence

Portrayal, social media and education

Gender-based violence is rooted in political, social, economic, religious and cultural factors that vary across space and time. While girl children are often placed under the umbrella of womanhood, their location at the intersection of femalehood and childhood places them in a unique position with regards to various forms of exploitation and violence. Feminist theories, including feminist legal theory, provide pertinent avenues to explore girls’ positionalities, yet girl children should also be contextualized in relation to their current lived experiences. This panel explores the gender-based violence encountered by girl children in various contexts, as well as societal views of the sexual exploitation of girls. This panel aims to contribute to the theorization of girls’ studies as it intersects with gender-based violence. It examines legal, social and economic avenues to support girls in reclaiming their identity, dignity and bodily integrity. This panel covers all regions, and areas such as the portrayal of girls, beauty ideals, social media platforms, digital games, and education. For the purpose of this panel, girl children are defined as female human beings under 18 years old, as stipulated under article 1 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).

Keywords: Girl Child, Gender-based Violence, Portrayal of Girls, Social Media, Education, Beauty Ideals.

PANEL 2 / July 4 - Afternoon

Led by CHERNYAK, Elena

Hartwick College, USA

Theorizing violence against women: integration of post-modernist theories in feminist perspectives

Numerous feminist theories have implications for understanding violence against women. For example, radical feminist theory contends that patriarchy both causes and reinforces men’s use of violence as a means of maintaining gender hierarchy. It universalizes women’s experiences of violence by highlighting the common vulnerability that all women, by virtue of their gender, share for experiencing violence at the hands of men. Radical feminism perceives women’s oppression and violence as the effect of male domination and refuses to consider structure and experience of that oppression in different societies, periods of history and social classes. In its turn, liberal feminism emphasizes the role of the state and focuses on social and economic determinants of violence against women. As such, women’s oppression is a result of the denial of rights and opportunities promised by the liberal states; therefore, equality should be provided through legal activities and government actions. Both radical and liberal feminist approaches are criticized for promoting a homogenized account of violence against women, which ignores important variations in women’s experiences. In particular, postcolonial feminist theory rejects the radical feminist notion of a shared womanhood approach to violence against women and highlights the increased and differential vulnerability of women in socially, racially, and economically marginalized communities to violence based on their unique social position whereas the liberal feminist’s approach is criticized for reflecting the priorities of white, economically privileged, heterosexual women in the West.

This panel includes theoretical/conceptual works that contribute to the theorization of violence against women by integrating contemporary social theories (e.g., post-colonialism, theory of intersectionality, & post-modernism) in various feminist perspectives.

Keywords: Feminist perspectives, Materialist feminist theory, Dalit feminist perspective, Antifeminism.

PANEL 3 / July 4 - Afternoon

Led by HERTZOG, Esther

Zefat Academic College, Israel

Violence against Mothers and their Children and their treatment by the State

The panel will elaborate on women's right to motherhood, which is widely threatened by State authorities in Israel. It will focus on mothers' struggles against depriving them from this basic right and against the coercive means that are used in the process. Disadvantaged women, among them are single parent families (headed by women), poor women, migrant women and other underprivileged groups, are the most susceptible candidates of losing custody over their children. In too many cases the children are being taken away from their mothers, by state authorities, to be adopted or to welfare institutions.

The panel participants will describe and analyze various cases in which underprivileged women, and their children, underwent coercive treatment by State authorities and various public agencies. They will describe the process of disqualifying the women's motherhood, by claiming their unfitted parenthood. Based on reported cases the panelists will elaborate on the coercive means used by the welfare authorities to take away babies and children and transfer them to adopting parents or put them in institutions for children and youth. The role of the legal systems and psychological diagnosing agencies in the process will be revealed. The presenters will elaborate on the theories and practices that are part of this pervasive State conduct and the various interests that are behind it. The panel will critically discuss the juridogenic effect of protection law (Smart, 2002), that is, the way by which the power of protection law works detrimentally against women, especially poor mothers; specifically, we will examine how the legal proceedings of termination of parental rights based on the vaguely defined legal concept of “parenting capacity” is used against unprivileged mothers in the name of the “best interests of the child”. In addition, we will analyze the dominant role of the mental health expert compared to the unheard voice of the mother as well as the depoliticization of parenting and decontextualization of the mother’s livelihood in the process of assessing her parental capacity. The focus of our discussion will be on the analysis of the practices used by the child protection system and the legal system that result in the separation of children from their (poor) mothers, as a way for a broader discussion on state-based violence against poor women by the neoliberal capitalist state.

Keywords: State based violence, motherhood, parenting capacity, disadvantaged women, mothers' struggles, welfare authorities.

PANEL 4 / July 4 – Afternoon

Led by CONDELLO Angela

University of Messina, Italy

Women in the public sphere: politics and workforce

The role of women in the public sphere depends on several variables, such as the economic, social, political and working context within which they act. In the present panel we shall elaborate on gender inequality and its phenomenology (at work, in society, after covid-19), in various areas of the world (Africa, China, etc.) as well as on a case of gender-based violence in Zambia.

Keywords: Gender-based violence, Public sphere, Legal profession, Women’s workforce.

JULY 5

PANEL 1 / July 5 - Afternoon

Led by CHERNYAK, Elena

Hartwick College, USA

Culture, religion, and gender-based violence

Gender-based violence, which is often associated with violence against women but, in reality, directed at any individual based on their gender and takes various forms of violent or aggressive behavior against someone because of their gender, is a serious social issue that is rooted in gender inequality, entrenched social norms, and abuse of power and violates the rights and well-being of individuals leading to dramatic physical and psychological health issues. While there are many factors that are associated with gender-based violence, culture and religion are the most important contributors on a macro level as they establish ideas and practices that impose power dynamics and gender relations. Religion is critical for the formation of any society as it conveys values and belief systems to members of that society through religious texts and interpretations of sacred books, traditions, teachings, and doctrines. Cultural traditions, practices, and values, as well as religious norms and customs, have significant impacts on the formation of the perception of women and men in society, their social status, and overall experience. Religious texts and cultural traditions are interpreted to justify gender discrimination and reinforce the power of men in society and are used to ensure that men and women conform to their prescribed gender roles and do not challenge the traditional order. 

This panel calls for research that contributes to discussion and exploration of the intersection of culture, religion and gender within the context of violence. It opens the floor for discussion of how gender-based violence, religion, and culture are correlated and how and in what way cultural and religious norms and practices contribute to gender-based violence.

Keywords: Gender-based violence, Culture, Law, Religion, Equality.

PANEL 2 / July 5 - Afternoon

Led by CHAPDELAINE-FELICIATI, Clara

Xi’an Jiaotong - Liverpool University, China

Girls' positionalities at the intersection of identity and violence : harmful practices

Gender-based violence is rooted in political, social, economic, religious and cultural factors that vary across space and time. While girl children are often placed under the umbrella of womanhood, their location at the intersection of femalehood and childhood places them in a unique position with regards to various forms of exploitation and violence. Feminist theories, including feminist legal theory, provide pertinent avenues to explore girls’ positionalities, yet girl children should also be contextualized in relation to their current lived experiences. This panel explores the gender-based violence encountered by girl children in various contexts, as well as societal views of the sexual exploitation of girls. This panel aims to contribute to the theorization of girls’ studies as it intersects with gender-based violence. It examines legal, social and economic avenues to support girls in reclaiming their identity, dignity and bodily integrity. This panel covers all regions, and areas such as girls’ status and history, child marriage, and girls in armed conflict. For the purpose of this panel, girl children are defined as female human beings under 18 years old, as stipulated under article 1 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).

Keywords: Girl Child, Gender-based Violence, Child Marriage, Girls’ Status and History, Armed Conflict

PANEL 3 / July 5 - Afternoon

Led by  GILL, Carmen

University of New Brunswick, Canada

Violence in the private sphere and their consequences

The panel addresses how the risk of domestic violence in the private sphere is a worrying and distressing reality with important legal implications. Within households, tensions and conflicts can arise, creating an environment conducive to acts of violence between family members. These forms of violence can range from physical assaults to emotional and psychological abuse, deeply affecting victims and disrupting their physical and mental well-being. From a legal perspective, domestic violence can result in criminal prosecution, protection orders, and custody battles in family court. Factors contributing to this violence can be diverse, such as communication problems, power imbalances, built-up frustrations or even the presence of mental health issues. Recognizing these risks and taking proactive steps to prevent and treat domestic violence is essential, not only to protect the well-being of those involved, but also to ensure compliance with the law. This includes providing adequate support to victims, promoting education and awareness of legal rights and resources, and implementing effective policies and protective mechanisms to ensure the safety and well-being of all family members while upholding the principles of justice and accountability.

Keywords: Domestic violence, Legal implications, Emotional abuse, Physical assaults, Power Imbalances.

PANEL 4 / July 5 - Afternoon

Led by BENTO, Berenice

University of Brasília (Brazil)/ CES - University of Coimbra, Portugal

Violence, domestic and international perspectives

The panel addresses how Gender-Based Violence is a complex and concerning issue on an international scale. It impacts millions of people, particularly women and girls, in all societies and cultures. This form of violence can take various forms, such as physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence, and it occurs in different contexts, including homes, workplaces, public spaces, and armed conflicts. Overcoming gender-based violence requires challenging and dismantling stereotypes, promoting gender equality, and fostering an environment and foreign aids that value respect, consent, and non-violence.

Keywords: Gender-Based Violence, Gender Equality, Human Rights, Foreign Aid.

PANEL 5 / July 5 - Afternoon

Led by VAN MARLE, Karin

University of the Western Cape (Dpt. of Public Law and Jurisprudence) and University of the Free State (Free State Centre for Human Rights), South Africa

Gender-based violence and challenging social norms

The panel addresses how social norms have significantly evolved, driven by social movements that aim to dissolve the rigid boundaries between genders and challenge patriarchal structures. This ongoing transformation reflects an increasingly open and inclusive society, where traditional gender stereotypes are being questioned. These movements advocate for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and the recognition of diverse gender identities, pushing for acceptance and understanding.

Keywords: Social norms, Gender boundaries, Social Movements, Gender Equality, Inclusive Society.

JULY 6

PANEL 1 / July 6 – Afternoon

Led by MARUSEK, Sarah

University of Hawai‘i Hilo, USA

Gender-Based Trilogies of Law, Culture, and Criminality

In examining the best path forward in combatting gender violence, intersectional overlap in generating narratives that educate, punish, and reframe gender violence are numerous. Whether as the attempted systematization of domestic violence claims, hate associated with sexual violence against women, the weaponization of femicide laws, or the technology-facilitated gender-based violence, this panel brings unique perspectives to the globally localized problems of gender-based frameworks at stake in contemporary debates involving gun control, hate crimes, violence, and the internet. Moreover, the papers in this panel address associated legal challenges in ways that broaden the conversation with nuanced alternative re-envisionings of the proposed status quo.

Keywords: Gender-based violence, sexual violence, hate-crimes, gun laws, victim, legislation, TGBV.

PANEL 2 / July 6 - Afternoon

Led by MORGAN, Cat & HEWITT, Sarah

Heriot-Watt University, University of Southampton, United Kingdom.

A gendered approach to new technologies and artificial intelligence

The panel addresses the various ways in which digital technologies can be either a resource or a risk factor from the point of view of gender equality, both from the point of view of the access to justice and the potential discriminations produced by the logical of algorithms.

Keywords: Gender-based approach, Artificial intelligence, Legal technology, Equal access to justice.

PANEL 3 / July 6 - Afternoon

Led by SPENGLER, Jördis

Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Germany

Gender-based violence and space

The panel addresses the problem of how gender is perceived, performed and defined in and through space - be it the public space where individuals of different genders interact or the space within the institution (such as for instance: in jail). Like other real-material (and yet also symbolic) aspects of what we can name "context", also space contributes to define what we consider a "just" or an "unjust" relationship between genders.

Keywords: Gender-based violence, Catcalling, Sexualized violence, Women Prisoner, Fondation Panzi.

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SEE THE CONGRESS AGENDA IN THE ATTACHED FILE