On March, 24 a lecture for BOS Alumni network titled Gender Equality and Crises: contradictio in adjecto? was held by Zorana Antonijevic. The audience had an opportunity to learn about the gender dimension of crises and the effects of crises on gender equaity.Zorana Antonijevic, a consultant, worked as a gender equality counsellor at OSCE Mission to Serbia. In her lecture, she explained the relationship between crises and gender equality and highlighted the gender aspects of various types of crises, from the crisis of the welfare state, over the crisis of the EU, to the migration crisis and COVID-19 crisis.  

The lecturer pointed out that gender inequality is often analyzed as a consequence of a crisis, but rarely as one of its causes. She stressed that crises can sometimes have a transformational potential to change gender relations, such as the rising emancipation of women after WW2. However, most of the time, the crises deepen the existing inequalities. 

During the Q and A, Zorana talked with the audience about the solidarity of different social movements, the role of class, and the importance of an active stance towards the state as a key actor that can implement systemic changes. 

The lecture was organized as part of regular BOS alumni events on which alumni network members have an opportunity to learn on various subjects, engage and share experiences.