The journey toward true gender equality reached a major milestone this past February. From 5-6 February 2026, researchers, policy-makers, and activists gathered in the historic city of Leuven, Belgium, for the RE-WIRING Final Conference.
After years of interdisciplinary research and co-creation, the message of the closing event was clear: gender equality is not about “fixing women,” but about re-wiring the institutions in which we live and work.
Day 1: A Life-Course Journey
The conference opened with a grounding address by Karen Vandekerckhove (European Commission), followed by a foundational session led by Linda Senden (Utrecht University) and Panos Kapotas (University of Portsmouth). They introduced the project’s core philosophy: moving beyond surface-level fixes toward a transformative gender equality approach.
Keynote speaker Prof. Annika Rudman (Karlstad University) challenged the audience to think through the lens of decolonial intersectionality, viewing justice as a systemic, interconnected process rather than a series of siloed solutions.
The afternoon sessions took participants through a “life journey,” exploring how biases accumulate over time:
- Adolescence and Education: Exploring how early norms shape future opportunities.
- Working Life: Addressing the labor market, care responsibilities, and work-life balance.
- Later Life and Finance: Highlighting how inequalities manifest in pensions and financial security for older women.
The day ended not with a lecture, but with music by Duo Darjeeling, reminding us that institutional change is as much a cultural endeavor as it is a legal one.
Day 2: Power, Media, and Allyship
The second day shifted the focus toward the invisible structures of power. A diverse panel discussed representation in art and media, exploring how narratives dictate who is allowed to lead. This was poignantly illustrated by Jeannie Zuiderwijk’s performance, “Another Day in Paradise,” which used art to surface lived realities that policy documents often miss.
One of the most vital discussions centered on human agency and allyship. Experts tackled the complexities of engaging men and boys in the movement and navigating the current climate of political backlash and polarization.
The conference concluded with a practical roadmap for the future. Representatives from UN Women, the OECD, and the European Commission joined RE-WIRING researchers to discuss how to mainstream the project’s findings into concrete law and policymaking.
The Work Goes On
While the Final Conference marks the end of this specific event, the RE-WIRING project is far from over. Our research, tools, and co-created resources will continue to be rolled out, providing institutions with the “wiring diagrams” they need to create environments where everyone can thrive.
As we look back on these two days of intense dialogue and collaboration, we invite you to revisit the moments that defined the event.
📸 View the full photo gallery from the Final Conference on Flickr
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Re-wiring institutions is a collective task, and together, we are making equality the norm.
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