International Women’s Day 2026 – The History of the Surinamese Women’s Newspaper Ashanti Two generations of women in conversation

• Date: 08 March
• Time: 13:30 - 17:00
• Location: Amare

The Sarnámihuis presents a special celebration of International Women’s Day 2026. The event centers on the launch of a collected edition of seven volumes of the Surinamese women’s newspaper Ashanti (“Discontent”), originally published in the 1980s.

Program

• Video film about the history of Ashanti

• Introduction by Sitla Bonoo, former member of the Ashanti editorial team

Panel discussion:

• Lila Lalta (active in Shri Ram Mandir)

• Vinesh Lalta on his path toward emancipation

• Ashwari Amrita (Hindustani and queer)

• Tineke Sumter (1980s activist with Sister Outsider)

• Josefien van Marlen and Petra Verdonk, active in Extinction Rebellion

• Musical intermezzo by Angel Aruna

• Moderator: Pravini Baboeram

Lecture/Performance: Crystall Hassel

How many words can you give to it? How often must you explain what can already be found on Google? Instead of yet another friendly conversation about “inclusion,” Crystal Hassell presents a lecture performance with dance and an inclusion bingo. Laat Maar! is sharp, humorous, and painfully recognizable — a performance for those who once thought, “I want to do the right thing, but I don’t know how,” and for those who are tired of it.

The 1980s formed a crucial period for the women’s movement of color in the Netherlands. At a time when feminism was largely dominated by white middle-class women, women of color from diverse backgrounds began creating their own spaces, as their experiences with racism, sexism, and migration were barely recognized within the broader women’s movement. How does the generation of that time look back on this period, and how does today’s generation view it? How does the current generation shape its activism for a fairer and better world? What can they learn from past experiences, and what “lessons learned” can both generations take into the future?

The Sarnámihuis is an online community focused on Hindustani identity. It organizes activities such as courses, lectures, and the annual celebration and commemoration of Hindustani immigration to Suriname on 5 June. This year, the celebration of International Women’s Day is also part of its program.

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