Cape Town: Arts and Culture Development Branch of the City of Cape Town hosted a two-day workshop titled ‘She Paves Her Path’. The workshop was hosted in collaboration with the Women’s Humanity Festival of Artscape. It was mainly focused on gender awareness and gender-based violence.
The event was attended by the women who were GBV survivors and house mothers based at GBV shelters. The theme of the workshop was kept in honour of Women’s Day, which is a statement of empowerment.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Patricia Van der Ross said that the theme not only celebrated the resilience of women but it emphasised on the empowerment and self-determination of a woman, who is craving for her own path to success and healing despite of conquering challenges she has faced.
Patricia said that the workshop was arranged to enable the women to engage and support each other as well as to plan for an inspiring and solution-focused way forward.
Reportedly, the workshop used culture and creativity as tools for social change, connection and engagement. It was mainly designed by a social worker and was facilitated by an experienced psychologist and counsellor, which included exploring the other social issues and themes related to gender-based violence and gender awareness.
The workshop also acted as a psychological and physical safe space for women to share their live experiences and connect, support and learn from the different paths that were included in their journey.
However, the outcome of the two-day session was an opportunity to reflect and by the participants to draft a plan for change to support their healing process on a personal, community and on societal level.
Women present there also had an opportunity to take part in the Artscape Women’s Humanity Festival, that included the #StepUpForChange Pledge, the ‘She had a name’ Exhibition, the Battered Housewives Club Production and the Humanity walk.
The Overall feedback from the women regarding the workshop involved the initiative which was a deep sense of gratitude, connection, community and a call to action – all important elements in their path to heal and create systematic change.
Councillor Patricia Van der Ross further stated that GBV mostly takes place behind the closed doors and the workshop which provided a safe space, where the women could speak in confidence, without any bias or fear.
With the knowledge and information provided to these women can heal and help others to speak up who may be in the same situation. “It has affected us all and we need more conversations if we are going to put an end to GBV,” said Van der Ross.