The vice dean of the Faculty of Law at UIC Barcelona, Montserrat Gas-Aixendri, gave a presentation at the 2nd International Congress on Freedom of Religion and Conscience, which was held on 5 and 6 June at Ramon Llull University. The meeting brought together international experts to discuss the international situation of this fundamental right, as well as the methodologies, categories and indicators for analysing religious freedom in a post-secular world.

Dr Gas-Aixendri focused her presentation on managing conflicts between religious freedom and gender equality in the context of the countries in the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe). The expert proposed five measures to advance gender equality without losing out on religious freedom. “We must focus on women’s real needs and problems, allowing religious communities to make their own decisions on how to incorporate the principles of gender equality and promote changes in attitudes before establishing mandates and prohibitions, and opening up interpretations of religious traditions in a way that enriches the secular concept of equality, ultimately promoting a preventive strategy through education, eliminating both gender stereotypes and religious stereotypes”, explained the vice dean.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Kristina Arriaga, CEO of Intrinsic and member of the Meta Oversight Board (Washington DC); Alex Goldberg, rabbi and dean of Chaplains College at the University of Surrey; Dr Helen Hall, Nottingham Trent University and Dr Fr Philip Larrey, lecturer of philosophy at Boston College.