Opening: A Conversation on Women's Dissent, Amsterdam - Main contents

In this opening programme six empowering and independent women from around the globe unite their strengths to speak about freedom of thought, freedom of expression and women’s dissent.

Women are seen as the typical bearers of authentic culture and religion. From birth onwards their bodies are considered property of the community, their voices silenced and thoughts detained. With the rise of the religious-Right, criticism of religion has become more difficult and dangerous, especially for these women who lead the battle for universal rights, freedom of expression and women’s rights.

During the evening speakers discuss the ways in which women’s dissent is silenced, how cultural relativism, identity politics, the religious-Right and far-Right attack dissent and how women dissenters are fighting on multiple fronts.

Shelley Segal is singer-songwriter and in this programme, she will play her music for us. She is an artist, an activist & an explicit story-teller, Shelley uses her music not only to express the way she sees the world, but to create the world that she wants to see.

Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema will open the festival weekend during this programme with a word of welcome.