The elixidas

On December 10 and 11, the city of A Coruña will host As Elixidas, an international meeting that will bring together women mayors and councilors from Cape Verde, Mozambique, Brazil, Galicia and other territories. Organized by the Fondo Galego de Cooperación y Solidariedade together with the City Council of A Coruña, the event will take place at the Palacio de María Pita and the Palexco. Its main objective is to highlight the role of women in the local political arena and to foster collaboration to face the challenges of female leadership.

The program of the conference seeks to promote female representation in politics and strengthen networks such as REFELA (Network of Local Elected Women of Africa). In Galicia, of the 313 municipalities, only 71 are led by women, a reality that is also reflected in other participating countries. During the event, topics such as the promotion of public policies for equality, the challenges of local politics and tools to address political violence will be discussed.

The initiative coincides with the International Human Rights Day, celebrated under the slogan “Our rights, our future, now! Registrations will be open until December 3 at this link.

PROGRAM OF THE CONFERENCE

Tuesday, December 10th
Venue: Palexco – Loft Dársena (women-only space)

• 16:00 h: Panel 1: Women in local decision-making: goals and challenges.
  • Leticia Santos (Mayoress of Moaña)
  • Jovial Setina (Homoíne Municipal Council, Mozambique)
  • Maria Clara Rodrigues (Municipal Assembly of Praia, Cape Verde)
  • Uxía Oviedo (Mayoress of Maceda)
  • Moderator: Felicidad González (social educator, Cabanas).
• 17:15 h: Workshop: Tools to confront political violence.
  • Taught by Arabías.

Wednesday, December 11
Venue: Palexco – Loft Dársena (women-only space)

• 9:30 a.m.: Panel 2: Women in local power: drivers of gender equality policies.
  • Geraldina Bonifácio (Boane Municipal Council, Mozambique)
  • Dora Pires (Municipal Assembly of São Vicente, Cape Verde)
  • Elcione Ramos (Mayor of Igarassu, Brazil)
  • María Teresa Villaverde (Mayoress of Lousame)
  • Moderator: Rocío Fanego (family educator, Guitiriz).
• 11:15 a.m.: Panel 3: Sorority as a tool: The role of elected women’s networks.
  • Maria Helena Langa (REFELA, Southern Africa)
  • Helena Bandeira (Municipal Council of Mocímboa da Praia, Mozambique)
  • Aline Martins (+Iguais program, Brazil)
  • Margalida Fullana (Mayoress of Algaida, Balearic Islands)
  • Moderator: María José Paz (pedagogue, Fene).
• 12:00 h: Keynote lecture: Imagine being human.
  • Princess Peixoto (UCCLA).
• 13:15 h: Reading and signing of the Declaration of A Coruña.
• 13:45 h: Closing session:
  • Lara Fernández (Councilor of Culture and Equality, Viveiro).
  • Nereida Canosa (Councilor for Equality, A Coruña).