The Feminist Archives Project features the rich resources of Isis International since it was founded in the early 1970s. Decades ago, we were among the few feminist organisations which enabled access to information about the developments among women’s rights organisations, feminist-movement building and decision-making processes — the advocacies, challenges, mobilisations, backlashes and successes —behind the rights and entitlements we enjoy and many more that we fight for. We created the media through which women could tell their stories, talk about their bodies, the violence, risks, threats and pleasure they endure, their relationships with other people and communities, and their aspirations for themselves, their children and societies

As a Southern feminist communications institution, we put a premium on the thoughts of visionary women who would like to transform societies and spread these like wildfire with the modest means available to us and other like-minded individuals and organisations. We captured and distributed as much as we could through bulletins, newsletters, books, magazines, toolkits, posters, listservs. Eventually we have collected journals, letters, images and other materials which represented the diversity, fortunes and shifts of women’s movements over the years. Isis International was not spared from crises nor can be immune from shocks in the future. 

This sense of uncertainty awakened a sense of pride as we look back to the institution’s history, the young women who felt the burden of a black-out especially among disenfranchised women, imagined a world where women, men, girls and boys can make empowering visions and informed decisions for themselves. And so Isis International marks a milestone in its journey. We are digitising our collection in our bid not only in paying homage to the work that was done by women in the past but also in propelling the wings of new generations of feminists.   

BACKGROUND

The Feminist Archives Project was initiated by our founder Marilee Karl. The Resource Centre featured titles on women’s rights, gender equality and sexuality. Although more books became available and more specialised library sections were built in nearby universities, Isis still has a rare collection, which some people can enjoy, if only they were preserved better and made available publicly. 

The Project has completed its first phase which features all editions of Isis International’s flagship publication, Women in Action from 1991 to 2012. 

THE TEAM

The Feminist Archives Project is led by Marilee Karl with the support of Christian Collantes, Mayang Taldo, Elvie Colobong, Pretchie Obja-an and Luz Maria Martinez

OUR SUPPORTERS

Our heartfelt gratitude to the Tides Foundation for supporting us in building the foundations of this project. As we continue to curating our materials, we would appreciate contributions of any amount. We also welcome volunteers.