On 27 March, over forty researchers and students from Erasmus University Rotterdam travelled to Antwerp to attend TRIBU26, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first International Tribunal on Crimes against Women, a key moment in women’s rights history. Over two days, participants joined workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, debates, and artistic activities. The Rotterdam delegation helped foster a strong community around gender justice. We asked student Ana Badea, who co-organised the delegation, and student Gloria Chitoraga, who joined, to reflect on their experiences.
Gloria recalls: "What I vividly remember from the event is the power of coming together, sharing, and listening. I think this is crucial for the fight against gender-based violence and inequalities. Two of the tribunal organisers — Karolien Huyghe from beweging.net and Céline di Maccio from Madame Fortuna — set the tone from the very beginning. They used the saying, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’”
Echoing this sense of community, Ana adds: “At first, I was genuinely surprised by how safe and restorative the atmosphere felt. Surrounded by FINTA+ individuals, it almost felt like a 'retreat' where we could be vulnerable without fear.”
The Rotterdam delegation
The Rotterdam delegation included academics and students from five different EUR faculties. It also included representatives from the IDEA centre and from Safe@EUR. Organised and coordinated by EUR’s Vital Cities and Citizens Initiative (VCC), they began preparations in January. Their key roles were serving as note-takers and moderators at the discussion tables, where women could share stories and discuss proposals to fight gender-based violence and inequalities.
Reflecting on safe spaces, Ana shared: “One aspect I particularly appreciated was the cocoon space co-hosted by Safe@EUR. It allowed people to step back, process the emotional weight of the discussions, and let out tears, screams, and fears that are often kept inside. That experience reinforced my commitment to helping create spaces where people feel safe, supported, and truly heard."
Gloria explains the importance of participating: “As women, we are too often not taken seriously when we speak about the injustices we face. These instances overlook the patriarchal system in which we live, where cultural, economic, and political injustices against women are real and occurring in the lives of so many of us. That is why we need safe spaces where women can share their stories, connect, and discuss how we can support one another. The main reason I joined the delegation was to experience such a space during the 2026 Women's Tribunal.”
Grassroots collaborations
During the preparations and in Antwerp, the Rotterdam group worked closely with local community organisations. In January, a representation of Nigerian Ladies of Dignity led a training on addressing domestic violence, joined by members of Rotterdam’s Bruggen Slaan foundation. A representative from AMAVIDA—an Angolan organisation supporting women affected by domestic violence in the Netherlands—travelled with them to Antwerp. In Antwerp, they met organisers, artists, and activists from dozens of organisations, including Madame Fortuna and beweging.net.
Gloria described its relevance: “As a woman in my 20s who is still trying to figure out life, being able to listen and learn from other women was deeply enriching. It made me realise that we hold collective power, and that this power grows through sharing, connection and solidarity.”
Honouring the strength of the women of the first International Tribunal
Arriving in Antwerp on March 27, the Rotterdam delegation joined hundreds of other women+ at the Arenberg Theatre for the opening of 2026WOMEN. The main performance, “Mijn Stem,” was a powerful musical choreography created by 40 women in 4 days. Performers danced, sang, and honoured the strength of women who led the first International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in 1976, some of whom were on stage.
About the performance, Gloria comments: “I will always remember how impactful the opening performance of 2026Women was. It showed me exactly why artivism is so important as a form of political action and, in this case, as a tool to speak out against gender-based violence and inequalities. Also, after knowing that the performance was prepared in only 4 days, I was left even more speechless by the dedication and strength of the women on stage.”
Listening to each other's stories
The second day was dedicated to the Tribunal itself. It started with an inspiring speech by the president of the Belgian Women's Council, Mariam Harutyunyan. She reflected on the value of women’s anger and explained how this powerful emotion can be channelled for justice. Participants then joined dozens of discussion tables as moderators and notetakers, or to tell their stories and listen to one another. EUR participants were prepared to moderate and document the stories. However, many ended up sharing their own experiences of injustice and violence and proposing grassroots solutions together.
Drawing on her role in the delegation, Ana notes: “As a student assistant and co-organiser, I saw firsthand how the Tribunal became more than just an event, as it grew into a living, breathing community. There was always something happening, and you could never really feel bored or disconnected. What stayed with me most was not only the scale of the event but the atmosphere it created. Bringing together so many women+ from different backgrounds, across age, education, religion, and identity, created a safe space where those differences did not divide us but connected us."
Gloria concludes: “A strong sense of connection and solidarity characterised the event, something participants will cherish and carry with them moving forward. More than a one-time gathering, the 2026 Women's Tribunal served as a starting point for continued reflection and action, reminding us of the importance of uniting our voices toward a common goal. It would be amazing if we started to gather, share, and reflect not only on these occasions, but also on our daily lives.”
Views from other members and partners of the Rotterdam delegation
Liz Jacobs (IPPL student, The Hague University of Applied Sciences): “What I found particularly beautiful was seeing so many women from different cultural backgrounds come together, not only to share personal stories, but also cultural dances, rituals, and the norms and values... As a moderator, I was also deeply moved by the stories I heard at my table.”
Yana Chakarova (Commercial and Company Law student, Erasmus School of Law): “Tribu26 was an amazing experience, which created a safe space for women from diverse backgrounds to share their stories. The event was filled with warmth, kindness and listening, something I will always remember.”
Luna Kanters (Master Societal Transitions student, Erasmus School of Philosophy): “I experienced the tribunal as a place where solidarity and connection were being embodied, through coming together, beautiful performances of women+ from plenty different backgrounds, mutual support and the collection and sharing of our narratives, feelings, voices and stories. Narratives of women+ that have been silenced and ignored in the formal and informal patriarchal systems.”
Fester Imoh (Chairperson of United Nigeria Platform, UNP): “This experience has strengthened my determination to ensure our voices are heard, no matter the circumstances.”
Siobhan Airey (Associate Professor, Erasmus School of Law): “Events like the Women’s Tribunal are important ‘para-legal’ spaces and places to create and consolidate knowledge on how past and present laws and governance recognise and address issues that affect women. One challenge for legal researchers and universities is how best to respectfully connect with and support these spaces in ways where legal knowledge can be meaningfully co-created.”
Bilge Sahin (Assistant Professor, International Institute of Social Studies, EUR): “I also think that these informal legal practices have a significant impact on legal knowledge, creation, and feminist meaning-making, but we often tend to fall into the pessimist trap of ‘now what’ question since it is not like formal procedures of ICC, ICJ or other tribunals.”
- More information
If you want to get in touch with the organisers of the Rotterdam Delegation, you can contact Britt Boeddha van Dongen, b.k.vandongen@essb.eur.nl.
