Webinar with Shaunna Thomas

Thursday 9 October | 15:00 CEST | Zoom

Description

Today, Feminist movements in Europe and around the world face a hostile environment, with the rise of anti-feminist movements in politics, an indifferent media sphere, and the mainstreaming of sexist and misogynist rhetoric and ideas both online and in the political arena. While Feminist organizations have lost nothing of their determination, grit and hard work, dynamics such as online backlashes, waning visibility for feminist issues and weakened social momentum for change make this a tough time for activists.

In this context, how can feminist movements build lasting power, create agency, and move closer to gender justice? From grassroots campaigns to global networks, digital tools are opening up new possibilities for collective action, building networks, and holding powerful actors to account. But with these opportunities also come dangers: among them gender-based disinformation, digital security, online harassment, and issues of accessibility and equity.

This webinar will explore how feminist movements can organize, target, and direct their actions to build power of, by, and for women. Drawing on the experience of UltraViolet, a U.S.-based feminist organization that has redefined women’s rights advocacy in the digital age, we will discuss how bold tactics, strategic coalition-building, and effective use of online tools can generate real-world wins. From mobilizing grassroots energy on social media to securing policy victories, UltraViolet has shown how digital-first organizing can create cultural shifts, confront bias, and drive systemic change.

This session will explore:

• How to align time, context, resources, and networks for maximum impact

• Case studies of UltraViolet’s campaigns and the cultural and policy shifts they helped catalyze

• How feminist movements can harness digital technologies to build power, strengthen solidarity, and drive social change

• Tactics for impactful mobilizations to amplify messages and put feminist issues in political and public debates

• Strategies for embedding intersectionality and inclusivity in feminist organizing

This conversation will offer insights on sustaining momentum, building strategic relationships between feminist movements, and fostering an international ecosystem of feminist campaigning that shares power and knowledge across communities and generations.

Join us to explore how digital innovation, bold advocacy, and inclusive leadership can help feminist movements strengthen solidarity, shape narratives, and win change that lasts.

Speaker: Shaunna Thomas, Co-Founder of UltraViolet

Shaunna Thomas is a gender justice advocate, organizer, and co-founder of UltraViolet, which she led for 13 years as Executive Director. Under her leadership, the organization grew into a leading voice in feminist advocacy—launching cultural, political and corporate accountability campaigns that challenged sexism, created demand for policy change, and made visible the people most harmed by white supremacist patriarchy and the systems that support it. Before UltraViolet, Shaunna served as Executive Director of the P Street Project and COO of Progressive Congress, where she aligned grassroots organizing with legislative strategy. She is known for bringing strategic vision, digital organizing acumen, and sustained public presence to advancing intersectional feminist values and strengthening democracy.