Feminist Friendships

The Feminist Friendships Gender Equality Community of Practice (FF CoP) was established to respond to a clear need: providing a space for Gender Equality practitioners in the SMR to gather, reflect, learn and support each other. Inspired by the concept of ‘feminist friendships’ as a methodology for practice, the FF CoP promoted courage and vulnerability, critical reflection, learning, and developing friendships with like-minded practitioners.

The FF CoP offered professional development, peer mentoring and one on one coaching: with twelve participants representing a diversity of organisations. Using the idea of ‘feminist friendship’ as a cornerstone, the FF CoP worked with “the practices, at the pace, in the natural contexts, and with an ethic of friendship” (Tillman-Healy, 2003), and as such required, and had, a strong commitment from all members and facilitators to show up, bringing whole self to the group, and develop strong relationships.

The aim of the FF CoP was to build trust and create space for courageous conversations about the challenges and realities of gender equality work. The group evolved, and the program was shaped by, member s’ needs and interests expressed through the initial in-person meeting.

For practicality and effectiveness, the FF CoP was facilitated through a combination of three full-day in-person meetings and seven online meetings.