The Negotiation of a Feminist Sisterhood in the Pacific - Two Recent Cases of Intersectional Alliance Building

An in-depth analysis of two case studies – the Pacific Feminist Forum and the We Rise Coalition reveals the importance of alliance building in creating a form of ‘negotiated sisterhood’. Actors and activities in the gender equality civil society space play a role to push governments to make a diversity-inclusive Pacific gender equality agenda. Working together as a regional alliance increases the impact of advocacy for including feminist voices in dialogues with regional institutions. A key lesson is that cross movement groups such as the women’s movement and gay and lesbian movements have different causes but can identify shared goals and engage in joint planning without excluding differences. This paper sheds new light on negotiating intersectional Pacific feminisms across difference, contributing ideas to mobilise more advocates for gender equality and inclusion in the Pacific.