During the FIERCE week in Venice, held alongside the Transeuropa Festival, we had the chance to delve into thought-provoking discussions on feminism, activism, and social transformation.
As part of our Learn stream, FIERCE is a transnational initiative designed to foster dialogue, capacity-building, and collaboration around feminist practices and ideas. By merging academic and action-based research conducted by national and transnational research laboratories (composed by researchers and feminist groups), in the 8 European countries partnering with the project (France, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Turkey, Denmark, Poland, Spain); FIERCE develops in-depth understanding and draws up a clear inventory of anti-gender movements and governments and their impact on the institutional arena on five key areas: Labour market, Health and reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, Migration and Gender-based violence. These data are crucial for effective action!
Beyond research and comparative cross-sectional analysis of these movements, FIERCE also studies demands, strategies and political influence of feminist movements. Based on the results of its research and on a strong alliance with feminist and civil society organizations, Fierce develops and implements innovative pilot actions and projects that can reinvigorate democratic practices.
It is therefore on the strength of our expertise and our bottom-up, problem-focused and impact-driven approach, linking academic knowledge, policy development and democratic strategies.
The FIERCE week in Venice provided a safe context to explore these themes, blending the symbolic and historical significance of the city with forward-thinking feminist conversations. The program included workshops, discussions, and creative sessions, emphasizing the power of collective reflection and action.
In this interview, conducted by Noemi Pittalà from EA team, Maria Francesca De Tullio – member of the FIERCE project, postdoctoral researcher and activist from Naples, Italy – shares her perspectives on feminism’s diverse languages, the role of constitutional law in addressing gender inequality, and the critical importance of transnational alliances in tackling systemic challenges.
What connection do you see between this week, the FIERCE week, and Transeuropa? Why is it so important to include a project like this within a festival addressing the intersection of water and feminism?
I believe this connection is essential because feminism needs to express itself through diverse languages and approaches. FIERCE was an intense three-day period of discussions, bringing together people from academia, NGOs, and beyond. However, I think it’s equally important to engage with the city of Venice itself. Relating with the city and its grassroots cultural spaces—like where we are now—represents an authentic feminist way of inhabiting and interacting with urban spaces.
Coming from an Italian background, I found it incredibly meaningful to be part of a safe, inclusive bubble like this one. It’s equally inspiring, even though I personally won’t have the opportunity to imagine exploring the city further as part of this experience. The intersection of different languages—academic, advocacy, and artistic—is incredibly valuable, as it fosters meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
Given your legal background, what do you think are the desirable intersections between international law and gender issues? What past intersections have been impactful, and what do you foresee for the future?
My background is rooted in constitutional law rather than international law. However, gender issues are inherently international. It’s unthinkable to have gender rights upheld in Italy but not in Morocco, Ukraine, or other countries. Many constitutional charters and declarations of rights have played a pivotal role in affirming fundamental principles. Law is important because it provides the framework within which decisions are made, even when certain declarations aren’t legally binding. Non-binding documents can still serve as critical references for judges interpreting and applying rights, helping to advance protections.
One key challenge in constitutional law— also addressed in dedicated initiatives, like the women scholars-led blog Le Costituzionaliste, where I contribute to the editorial board—is achieving substantive equality. It’s one thing to declare that everyone is equal before the law, and quite another to realize it in practice. Recognizing and addressing systemic inequalities is essential. On this front, law still has significant work to do, particularly through interdisciplinary collaboration. For instance, I appreciated how today we discussed international law in dialogue with activists and from diverse disciplinary perspectives. Such exchanges are vital for bridging the gap between legal frameworks and real-world challenges, especially when addressing intersecting inequalities.
Regarding the discussions over these days, particularly the legal aspects, what practices or dialogues have stood out to you? What will you take back to Naples, your home context, and why are collective experiences like this important?
I’m not part of an organization explicitly dedicated to feminism. I’m an activist with Ex Asilo Filangieri, a commons initiative in Naples that strives to be anti-sexist, anti-fascist, and anti-racist, even if it wasn’t founded with feminism as its primary focus. Bringing feminist perspectives into spaces like this is a powerful way to foster learning and transformation. I’m also part of Feministization of Politics, a collective born from an alliance of municipalist initiatives working to make our movements less patriarchal.
For me, this experience has been profoundly enriching, particularly because of the variety of voices and perspectives involved. It’s not just the international scope but also the range of viewpoints—from grassroots organizations addressing migration and domestic labor to groups advocating at the UN. Networks like these have always been crucial in my work to ensure that even spaces not initially feminist evolve into transfeminist ones.
What do you think are the most urgent challenges feminism faces today? How can transnational actions help address these challenges?
It’s challenging to identify where to start, as the list of urgent challenges is extensive. Today’s interview takes place on a day marked by difficult news from the U.S. elections, which has added a layer of difficulty to our work and affected many of those participating here.
There are numerous critical issues to address, including how traditional gender issues in our movement—rooted in a long and rich history—can now expand to encompass the rights of queer individuals and broader social realities. For instance, ecofeminism is increasingly relevant in confronting the extractive nature of dominant systems. These systems exploit not only bodies, particularly those oppressed by patriarchy, but also natural resources. This exploitation is evident both in so-called natural environments and in urban contexts like Naples and Venice, where communities are fighting against gentrification and the displacement of residents.
For me, the international dimension has always been pivotal. It allows me to sustain and enrich this discourse, especially as someone who has chosen to engage in mixed spaces that interface with political movements and, at times, even party politics. These spaces often present challenges in maintaining a non-patriarchal approach. Engaging with experiences that share similar struggles or are even further along in their reflections helps me feel less isolated and more encouraged in these ongoing fights.
Could you focus more on potential solutions to the challenges we face, especially those you’ve observed this week?
Certainly. For instance, we’ve discussed how Italy’s first woman prime minister has not advanced gender issues. On the contrary, there have been significant attacks on reproductive rights. While other countries are enshrining these rights, in Italy, abortion remains framed as a concession rather than a right, requiring proof of illness or risk, which represents a step backward.
This week has added a valuable international perspective. For those of us engaged in grassroots activism, this broadened outlook has been incredibly enriching. A recent roundtable on the relationship with institutions highlighted at least two critical issues: the appropriation of international platforms by far-right organizations and the need to create alliances between organizations with the resources and expertise to engage in international advocacy and grassroots movements.
Building bridges between these levels of activism is essential. Grassroots groups, even if they lack the inclination or resources to participate in high-level dialogues, bring invaluable perspectives and lived experiences. Strengthening these connections will be crucial for addressing the complex challenges feminism faces today.