Feminist Movement Building
Southern Africa
The JASS page that links to the stories is: http://www.justassociates.org/digitalstories.htm
Each story has its own YouTube link.
Objectives
To use the digital stories as “codes” in ‘popular education.’ In other words, to:
- introduce difficult topics in a vivid and concrete way;
- draw out participants’ feelings and experiences;
- analyze the power and forces involved;
- understand the causes, and
- plan strategies and action.
Materials
Either a good internet connection and monitors, OR a DVD of the stories and a projector
YouTube gives you the option to download each story. This is a good idea. You will have the story on disk or on your computer. Then you do not have to rely on streaming it from the internet.
Steps
Watch a story several times yourself to decide exactly how to use it.
Who is your target group?
What are their particular interests?
What is the desired outcome of your session?
The answers to these questions will guide your thinking and preparations.
For audiovisuals to make the most impact, always prepare three stages:
- Before the screening: introduce the story and raise questions
- During the screening: viewers watch closely, so they can answer the questions
- After the screening: from the group’s responses and participation, you an guide discussion and exercises to move towards strategies and action.
In stage 3, begin with open-ended questions such as “What did you think of this film?” That is often all you have to ask to get the discussion started. You may want to give everyone a chance to reflect quietly first – you could ask each person to write down her impressions or to discuss in pairs. Then open up to general discussion.
As facilitator, your skills in asking the right questions and in listening are more valuable than any information you might be able to give. Focus on ensuring that each participant contributes.
Practical steps
- Make sure you have the right materials and equipment. Check that you understand how to operate the equipment.
- Arrange the room so that everyone can see the screen properly.
- Prepare any additional material you may need.
- Now, double-check the equipment. It is very embarrassing to be held up by technology!
Each of the digital stories comes from deep in the story-teller’s heart. The collection represents the power of self-expression and finding one’s voice. We hope that everyone who watches will be encouraged to tell her own story too.
Some uses are listed below, but these are just suggestions. Many other responses and discussions are possible.
Please take the time to comment on these stories on YouTube. And please send the links to all your friends and colleagues. We welcome any suggestions on other ways to use the stories. If you use the stories in your sessions, please email and tell us how it went.
Albertina: The Day I Made Him Stop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hneAZCEl5v4
Use this story to:
- discuss POWER OVER (the teacher) and POWER WITHIN (the learner)
- encourage learners and others to recognize their power and to stand up for themselves
- examine power, abuse and resistance
- challenge males about their use of power and masculinity to abuse girls and women
- encourage analysis and advocacy for the protection of female students
- to discuss corporal punishment and other systems in schools.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp_pmCe_PVs
Use this story to:
- share the meaning of your name (as an ice-breaker)
- discuss men’s roles as fathers and the meaning of masculinity in our society
- reflect on what is kept silent in your own life, work, family, society
- discuss hidden power – the things we accept as “normal”
- identify what you speak up about and why
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Rz_KFOnoA
Use this story to:
- discuss stigma about HIV/AIDS, as well as confidentiality, disclosure and treatment
- address power relations in the workplace, in HIV/AIDS programs and elsewhere
- encourage healthcare workers to examine their attitudes
- raise awareness of prisoners’ rights amongst police officers and others
- discuss sexism and discrimination based on women’s physical appearance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htIrb8mj5mE
Use this story to:
- discuss forced sterilization, and women’s health and reproductive rights in general
- discuss HIV-positive women’s rights to bear children
- initiate discussion of health systems
- identify women’s choices in relation to HIV/AIDS and rights to information
- advocate for what is included in HIV policies (with reference to A New Weave)
- encourage other women to tell their stories about visible, invisible and hidden power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIl6yVIa8CQ
Use this story to:
- begin a discussion with Portuguese-speaking groups
- understand power to, power with and power within
- discuss how women often support others, and how Irene began to speak up for herself too
- examine how widows are viewed in the community, and the assumptions that people make about widows
- encourages HIV-postive people to keep going and to plan for the future
- raise awareness about loss
- educate women about positive living
- encourage the formation of support groups and other forms of HIV-positive organizing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiHiBjzSLC0
Use this story to:
- discuss definitions and experiences of motherhood, as daughters and as mothers
- talk about the rights of children
- share experiences of loss
- examine the different faces of power, especially invisible power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GN7esOgY4Y
Use this story to:
- focus on the history and impact of women’s groups, feminist organizing and ‘power with’
- map women’s histories, for example in drawing up a timeline
- address and research gender and sexual violence as political weapon and during conflict situations, and the long aftermath of this abuse (for example in Liberia, Congo, Zimbabwe)
- encourage women to organize
- challenge organizations (including HIV groups) that ignore women’s rights or leave them as the last on the agenda
- challenge leaders
- celebrate the achievements of feminist groups, past and current
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FczOORqtPYA
Use this story to:
- discuss stigma, silence, denial, disclosure and empathy
- acknowledge women’s role as unpaid caregivers, examining the effects of silence on the caregiver
- encourage elders, decision-makers, churches and others to consider opening up on “sensitive” issues, when silence can be so damaging
- encourage HIV-negative people to get involved
- encourage disclosure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2dtWfHQrU0
Use this story to:
- discuss child labor and abuse, gender-based violence, alcohol and abuse
- focus on child-headed households, including those that result from HIV/AIDS
- reflect on communication and trust within families and across generations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwjiIu2tIB8
Use this story to:
- challenge stigma and stereotypes of lesbians
- open up discussion about sexuality and choice, with all generations
- acknowledge and value diversity
- identify and discuss hate crimes
- support young people to overcome denial about sexuality
- initiate strategizing to protect the rights of women, especially sexual minorities
- draw inspiration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RZHe72IL9k
Use this story to:
- discuss self-esteem and body image for women and girls, and the pressure to conform to an ideal (especially for girls)
- inspire young women to find their power within, and to move beyond limitations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD4ESbCQ6DY
Use this story to:
- discuss conflict and jealousy between women in organizations, and define strategies to encourage women to support each other
- highlight double standards (would a man be denied the right to attend a conference for such allegations?)
- discuss the way women leaders resort to using patriarchy, and how to challenge that and push for solidarity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8WHHsrjf2o
Use this story to:
- raise awareness about post-natal and other kinds of depression, to contradict the simplistic idea that people should just “snap out of it”
- talk about and challenge the labels and stigma associated with mental illness and depression, as well as HIV/AIDS
- encourage women to value themselves for themselves, not only as mothers or partners
- compare treatment adherence for HIV and other conditions
- educate about support and recovery, especially the active role that communities can take
- encourage women in leadership to avoid burn-out and seek support and therapy
Just Associates
2040 S Street NW 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: +1 202.232.1211
info@justassociates.org
