Mexico City, March 8, 2025.—Universidad Panamericana reaffirms its commitment to gender equality and human dignity by organizing the first International Congress on Person-Centered Feminism. This event, held in Mixcoac on the Mexico City campus, was organized by the Interdisciplinary Group for Feminist Studies (GIEF) at the Panamericana University in collaboration with the School of Philosophy and the Institute of Humanities.
During the conference, 10 panel discussions were held with national and international experts, addressing key topics such as the solidarity-based roots of hope in women, the personal ontological condition and its relationship to motherhood, and the dignity of women, as well as the impact of person-centered feminism in the contemporary world.
An Inclusive and Hopeful Feminism
During the opening ceremony, the Dr. Fernanda Llergo Bay, President of the UP-IPADE system, emphasized: “It is essential to foster in-depth dialogues that strengthen a holistic vision of feminism—one that is person-centered and free from reductionist perspectives. Universidad Panamericana reaffirms its commitment to the pursuit of truth and the promotion of critical thinking that values the dignity of every person”, said Dr. Llergo.
For his part, the Dr. Santiago García Álvarez, rector of the Mexico City campus, emphasized that the university must continue to be a space for dialogue and critical reflection: “This conference is an opportunity to reaffirm the inalienable value of women and their contribution to society, from a perspective that respects their essence and freedom. It is essential that we continue to promote these academic gatherings, for only through dialogue and reflection can we build a more just and equitable society.”
The Roots of Hope in Solidarity
The event was attended by scholars from prestigious institutions such as the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, the Complutense University of Madrid, and the Universidad Panamericana.
At the Roundtable The Solidarity-Rooted Hope in the Voices of Contemporary Women Thinkers, moderated by Anita Cadavid of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, explored the role of the university as an agent of social change and the importance of hope in building a person-centered feminism. The panelists emphasized the need for an education that promotes gender equity and social justice.
Elena Colombetti, of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, emphasized that “hope is not merely a human disposition, but a structural reality linked to our very nature”. She also highlighted the importance of the ethics of care and relationships with others as the foundation for social justice.
Ana Fernández, of the GIEF, spoke about the importance of relationships and diversity in fostering hope, stating that “an isolated individual cannot achieve a better future precisely because they do not have all the necessary resources”.
Cecilia Coronado, also from the GIEF, emphasized the need to “overcome the dichotomy between equality and difference” in feminism, proposing a model in which “care relationships and vulnerability are recognized not as an exception, but as the very foundation of social coexistence”.
The panelists agreed that hope is a fundamental pillar of feminism, and that the university should be a space where dialogue, critical reflection, and the building of a more just and equitable future are fostered.
Metaphysical Foundations for Feminism
At the panel discussion Personal Ontological Condition: Metaphysical Foundations for Person-Centered Feminism, moderated by Viviana González of the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, the philosophical and metaphysical foundations underpinning person-centered feminism were explored, with a focus on human dignity and personal identity.
Juliana Peiró, from the Hápax Center for Humanities Research in Mexico, emphasized that “the dignity of the human individual is inherent in human nature because it is a personal, unique, and irreplaceable nature”. She also stated that “the person is a relational being, capable of love and transcendence, and their dignity lies in their capacity for otherness.”
Giannina Orejel, of GIEF, emphasized that “person-centered feminism is both critical and hopeful, because it trusts in the human capacity to find creative solutions to complex problems”. She also emphasized that “women are free and relational beings whose dignity does not depend on social or economic conditions, but on their personal nature”.
Mariana Flores, of GIEF, reflected on the importance of understanding women not only as “the female individual of a species”, but as “a person who expresses her nature in a unique and irreplaceable way”.
The participants agreed that person-centered feminism must be based on an ontological understanding that recognizes the inherent dignity of every human being, their capacity for relationships, and their freedom to define their own path.
Motherhood in Political and Socioeconomic Debates
Paola Binetti, professor emerita at the Campus Biomedico University of Rome, presented on the topic: The Role of Motherhood and Its Connection to Current Issues in the Economic, Social, and Political Spheres. The presentation addressed the challenges women face regarding motherhood, especially in a social and economic context that often penalizes this choice.
The panelists discussed how motherhood, far from being an inevitable fate, should be a free and sustainable choice, supported by public policies and a cultural shift. Binetti emphasized that motherhood should not be viewed as an obstacle, but rather as a free and sustainable choice—a benefit for society as a whole.
Teresa Villanueva, of the GIEF, addressed motherhood from both a biological and social perspective: “Motherhood is not just an instinct, but an experience shaped by cultural, social, and psychological factors.”
Meanwhile, Diana Ibarra of GIEF reflected on the need for policies that balance work and family life: “No woman should be forced to choose between her career and motherhood”. She also emphasized that “support for motherhood should not be merely financial, but also psychological and social, so that it is a positive experience and not a burden.”
Reflections on Virtue, Dignity, and the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence
At the table Teaching Virtue and the Importance of Dignity in the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence, Dr. Teresa Compte, of the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Chile, emphasized the need to recognize that violence is a debilitating phenomenon that affects not only the direct victims but also society as a whole. “The first duty of justice toward those who have suffered an injustice is the recognition of their dignity”, she stated.
Meanwhile, Dora Navarro of the GIEF emphasized that the fight against gender-based violence requires a profound shift in cultural paradigms. “Until the ways of thinking and social structures that perpetuate these injustices are transformed, no legislation will be sufficient to guarantee a dignified life for all women”.
Similarly, moderator Lucía Molatore, an academic and activist, emphasized the importance of joint action among civil society, educational institutions, and the government to eradicate gender-based violence at its root. “It’s not enough to theorize about justice; we must translate these reflections into concrete actions that bring about real change,”, she noted.
A legacy for the future
At the closing ceremony, the Dr. Alberto Ross Hernández, director of the Institute of Humanities, highlighted the growth of the GIEF and its role in producing feminist knowledge with an interdisciplinary approach. “This conference is a testament to serious academic work committed to a cause that challenges us all”, said Dr. Ross.
Finally, the Dr. Fernanda Crespo, coordinator of the GIEF, reaffirmed the Universidad Panamericana ’s commitment to promoting social justice and recognizing human dignity. “Person-centered feminism is a piece of clay, still malleable, but with the hope that it will become a beautiful and useful piece for future generations,”, she concluded.
Learn more about the Interdisciplinary Group for Feminist Studies at the University of the Andes ( Universidad Panamericana ) at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwYQjCc1K3Q
