25-11-2024
As the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence takes off, I take you back to the last UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March 2024.
In a space called the Blue Gallery, just opposite the UN, WO=MEN together with the Our Voices Our Futures (OVOF) partnerships facilitated a creative community space for feminist activists. OVOF partners from Bangladesh, India, Kenya and Uganda were invited to share how they use art in their activism for women’s, queer, trans and sex workers’ rights. For the right to organize and speak up. The right to be safe and access health services. And simply the right to be.
"This is so powerful, beautiful, important. I got to relax, meet community and express myself. And I learned new things too!"- participants in the ARTivism in Action space, March 2024
Many of the participants came from communities that are highly stigmatized, discriminated and sometimes even criminalized in their own countries. Communities that are structurally silenced and excluded from institutions at local, national and international levels. Art can be an effectivetool to reach and express emotions, address trauma and heal. It can help connect and build community. And it can provide an alternative way to express dissent and get your messages out –even anonymously - to a different audience.
At the opening, Karen Burbach from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined several artivists – activists who use art in their work and vice versa –to share their appreciation and understanding of the the power and purpose of art in activism.
Expositions & Film
The space included various expositions, from photos and poetry by community members shared by ARTvism in Uganda to paintings about ‘the rights of structurally silenced women’ by young people in Bangladesh.On a large screen, several videos were looped adding messages and artivist examples from Asia and Africa. A series of short videos about hijra communities in Bangladesh, introduced by a colleague from BRAC, attracted attention of several queer and trans activists from Northern Africa, who shared this had opened their eyes to other forms of identities and cultures.
On both days the movie screenings attracted a lively audience. The Kenyan National Trans and Advocacy Network (NTAN) hosted a screening of the powerful documentary "Right By Me” about the lives of trans, intersex, and gender diverse communities in Kenya. On the second day, the European Sex Workers Alliance (ESWA) and Red Umbrella Fund jointly introduced and facilitated a q&a following their screening of the sex worker-produced documentary "CROSSINGS - The Stories of Migrant Sex Workers”.
Workshops & arts- and crafting
The large center table of the space was the core of event: here visitors came together at the arts & crafts table where everyone just go to do whatever they wanted. People enjoyed making buttons or just doodled while conversing with neighbors. "Can I really write anything I want on here?” asked an activist from a country where public protest is prohibited. The result, featuring "Stop the Genocide”, was exhibited along the wall next to a sign saying "Art is meant to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed”.
In the corner of the space visitors contributed their thoughts to a large sheet about crafting feminist futures together. The resulting mural included colorful drawings and messages highlighting resistance, climate justice, love, inclusion, sisterhood, indigenous women, rest and care, men engagement, trans and intersex people, and our shared fire to make change.
Some people showed up specifically to join one of various interactive workshops. Different sessions included the use of media and zines in lgbtq+ activism in Uganda, trying out poetry and painting as tools of defiance, or engaging in conversation around (online) community networks for a feminist world led by APC.
Visitors
The space attracted diverse civil society and government participants of the CSW, as well as some random New Yorkers who happened to pass by and were attracted by the art work and cozy hustle and bustle. "Will you have a new exposition next year?” one elderly man wanted know.In the afternoon an Iranian activist walked in, appreciating the artwork on the walls and activists in the room. In her arms she carriedtwo large quilts depicting different women, holding various flags and banners, a rainbow, flowers and butterflies, and the words: "Woman Life Freedom”and "Say her name: Mahsa Amini.” Within minutes, a ladder, rope and tape was found and her quilts were given the attention they deserved.
"Ohhh yes, we really needed this space at the CSW” sighed one of the visitors happily.
Understanding the importance of creative, flexible,and safe spaces at such large – and not always friendly – convenings, OVOF will again collaborate with artivists to co-create aunique community space also at the upcoming CSW and Beijing+30 meeting in March 2025.
