| TigerNews
| Other News (Talking out Walking on) Preface The new R.S.A. constitution guarantees women's rights and protection. But in practice these ideas have not filtered down to rural areas at all. And indeed the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa has highlighted the plight of women in rural communities. Often the victims of oppressive practices, malicious superstitions, violence and rape, women have been led to believe they deserve the abuse they are subjected to and are strongly encouraged to suffer their lot alone and in silence. "Like any other prejudice, violence against women is a form of discrimination. The law does not tolerate it and it is high time that we educate society not to tolerate it either….. The equality clause in the constitution gives practical expression to our desire to see a society where women can freely play a decisive role in the development of our people, including their role as leaders in the process of change." Mapisa-Nqakula RSA Minister of Home Affairs The Project The aim of the project is to give the women the opportunity to transcend their past trauma, thereby freeing them and allowing them to become the powerful and inspiring women the New South Africa so badly needs. The project comprises of two components:
We will be working with the RWM (Rural Women's Movement), a 45,000 strong, grassroots, women's movement in KwaZulu-Natal. RWM works with poor, indigenous, landless women, advocating women's independent land rights and also addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS. Our media project proposes to help women break the agonizing oath of silence, to talk out with clarity and courage, paving the way for others to do likewise. Who are we? Life in Israel creates experience in the fields of personal trauma resolution, collective trauma, and the media documentation of such. The group has come together and designed a unique program for supporting African women who have been the victims of trauma. Ditta Ben-David was originally approached by RWM's director Sizani Ngubane, and later met her on a recent visit to South Africa, in order to discuss a potential documentation and empowering project. Together they formulated the concept that is now the ToWo media / trauma healing project. Then through the initiative of Mikki Cohen, the Sapir College showed interest in joining this venture, as it fits in with their outreach program and philosophy of social activism. In addition they have offered the temporary use of film equipment, (if it coincides with vacation time), and supporting some of their students who will participate and assist in the training camp, as well as assisting with the follow-up editing camp. The Group members are:
Current stage of the project: Sizani Ngubane and the RWM in South Africa are simultaneously creating the groups of women who would be most suitable and eager to undergo such training, and who would then be able to take these insights and skills into their own communities. We have also been contacted by a few South African individuals from the film industry, willing to support the project. Why do we contact you? We are also looking for appropriate connections in Israel and abroad. We are interested in contacting people who are interested in promoting and supporting projects of this nature financially, as well as with basic practical help. We could use help in organizing a Gala evening for the project for example. We are in need for SE practitioners as volunteers toward the SE module of the camp. We would be very happy to hear from you,
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