Sisters Without Borders
July 21, 2025
The Conference, Workshop, and General Assembly of the International Association of Women’s Museums was held from August 24 to 29 in Merano, South Tyrol, hosted by the “Merano Women’s Museum” and Sissi Prader.
The theme of the conference was focused on the
Cartographies of interruption and influence: Feminist educational and institutional strategies in
museums in response to gender-based violence.
Presentations related to this theme were delivered by several members over the course of two days.
The workshops were subsequently based on the same perspective, giving participants the opportunity to explore the subject in greater depth through interactive discussions and practical sessions.
Meeting the Mayor of Merano
As part of the program, participants met with the mayor and members of the Merano City Council. In her speech, the mayor, a young and passionate leader, highlighted the significant role of the Women’s Museum in shaping local policies:
“The Merano Women’s Museum has raised gender awareness among politicians and the local government. Today, most members of the City Council are young women activists, political thinkers, and advocates of equality.”
Journalists from regional media outlets and the South Tyrol Municipal News Agency were also present at this meeting, and several reports about the event were published in local media.
During the same session, in side discussions, Mansoureh Shojaei, the Iranian member of this international network, commented that the mayor’s words carried a clear message for defining and clarifying the mission and objectives of women’s museums worldwide.
In conjunction with the gathering, an extensive exhibition of posters from the International Association of Women’s Museums was held at the Merano Women’s Museum, showcasing the diverse initiatives and stories of women’s museums from around the world.
Among the featured works, the poster of the Iranian Women’s Movement Museum, meticulously designed by Parastou Farouhar, a member of the Iran museum’s board of trustees, stands out. This poster will be on public display for one year, offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with the history and achievements of the Iranian women’s movement, and highlighting the museum’s role in preserving and promoting women’s cultural heritage internationally.
«New Board Elected at the International Association of Women’s Museums Gathering»
The last two days of the conference were dedicated to the election of the new board of directors. Mona Holm (Norway), Gabi Frangen (Germany), Stefania Pitscheider Soraperra (Austria), Kyehyeong Ki (South Korea), and Claudia Aucello (Mexico) were elected to the board, while Sissi Prada was appointed as the network’s found person and treasurer.
The collective review of the statutes and executive regulations led to significant improvements. Most notably, the establishment of a new Election Committee emerged as a key outcome — the result of a full day of discussions on ensuring equal agency for members of women’s museums across both the Global North and the Global South.
