HUMAN ME
A commemorative play for the International Day Against Homophobia, Bi-phobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
SISTERHOOD RISING
A story that seeks to highlight the issue of Inter Partner Violence within queer relationships.
FETISH
A performance about the fetishization of queer person’s bodies by cis-gendered heterosexual men.
BETWEEN SELF AND I
A story that seeks to demystify the myths and misconceptions around bisexuality and discrimination within the queer community.
MIDNIGHT MUSINGS
A performance about the mental well-being of queer persons.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS
EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY, THROUGH PRIORITISING SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.
Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) is a cornerstone in ensuring the well-being and empowerment of individuals. Through previous engagements, we’ve recognized a critical gap in understanding and accessing SRH services. To bridge this gap, we teamed up with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, to conduct a transformative training program aimed at empowering our members with knowledge about their sexual and reproductive health.
The primary focus of this training was to raise awareness about the types of services available to them at various MSF-supported clinics strategically located in Dandora and its surrounding areas. The services offered by these clinics encompassed everything from SRH consultations to testing, and contraception options. This ensures our members have access to resources that help them make informed decisions on their reproductive health.
Participants were also equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the aftermath of sexual violence, an issue that is far too common yet often shrouded in silence and shame. This aligns with our efforts towards empowering our members on support after being victims of IPV and other forms of sexual violence. We are big on collaborative efforts and this engagement is a testament to the power of community.
EMPOWERING LBQ PERSONS AGAINST IPV THROUGH COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENTS
This year, under the project Shame Silence and Seclusion in partnership with the Heinrich Boell Foundation, we sought to address the issue of IPV (inter-partner violence) in LBQ (lesbian, bisexual, queer) relationships. Through a theatre performance Sisterhood Rising, community engagements and follow-up discussions, we have made some strides in sensitizing the larger community and creating pathways for reporting and supporting victims.
Our efforts began with a powerful panel discussion held immediately after the play “Sisterhood Rising.” This event brought together LBQ persons, allies, and advocates to openly discuss the harsh realities of abusive relationships. It allowed us to shed light on the unique challenges that LBQ individuals face when dealing with IPV. having a diverse audience served to sensitize them to the realities of the issue. The collaborative efforts of the performance and the discussion served to break down the walls of shame and silence victims are often faced with.
Lasting change requires the involvement of key stakeholders who could provide the necessary support systems. We targeted influential stakeholders in the community such as health workers, religious leaders, community leaders and police officers. We managed two that is; health workers and a community leader. Therefore, we organized a second discussion in Dandora, with the objective of creating a united front against IPV and ensuring that LBQ individuals could report abuse without fear of retribution.
The outcome of these discussions was inspiring having successfully built a relationship with the two groups. They are now allied in providing much-needed support and care to the victims. We however acknowledge that there is a lot more to do to bring in law enforcement and religious leaders. These two groups are crucial in changing mindsets and protecting victims from perpetrators, and working towards a common goal of creating a safe environment for all members of the community to thrive.
Stakeholder SSS 2023
Sisterhood Rising
