A Sisterhood, but in Conflict: Women’s Movements in East Central Europe

Abstract Book of the 7th Global Conference on Women’s Studies

Year: 2025

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A Sisterhood, but in Conflict: Women’s Movements in East Central Europe

Dr. Marijana Kardum

ABSTRACT:

Histories of the 19th and 20th century women’s movements in East Central Europe – that is, usually all-women, or women-only initiatives and associations (whether first- or second-wave feminist, pacifist or contemporary) – are considered conflict free zones of joint, selfless effort. This is probably due to the supposed female traits as caring and being peace-oriented by nature. Either if the ideas that tied those women together throughout history were imported from the West and adapted to the local context (transfers of ideas, cultural translation), or they were mostly grass-rooted, this gender-based organizing is depicted as sisterhood. However, the historical logic resulting from the extensive research shows that the conflict is inherent. Furthermore, that what occurs with time is a specific type of internal turmoil, power and influence grab that leaves the ideas at the core of these initiatives come second. Hierarchies are established and mutual interests neglected. In this presentation, I suggest that the reasons might be found in women’s entanglement with conflicting ideologies, nationalisms and class dynamics. Starting from the perspective of a professional historian, the intention is to spark a crossdisciplinary discussion about the reasons that interrupt and even divert predominantly women’s collective efforts.

Keywords: 19th and 20th century; feminism; history; (trans)nationalism; women’s associations.