As part of the ongoing Rallying Against Violence (RaV) project, AfriYAN Ghana recently organized a creative storytelling workshop aimed at empowering 17 survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The workshop brought together survivors aged 15 to 30, providing them with tools and training to transform their experiences into powerful advocacy messages against GBV.
Workshop Highlights:
The workshop was designed to equip participants with the skills necessary to use artistic activism and creative storytelling as means of advocating for an end to GBV. Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in various activities that helped them:
Understand the key elements of artistic activism.
Identify and utilize creative tools to evaluate artistic actions.
Leverage social media platforms, such as Facebook Live and YouTube, for advocacy.
Recognize the effects of unreported acts of violence and their broader implications.
Familiarize themselves with the avenues available for reporting GBV and the safety measures in place.
Hands-On Training:
The survivors received hands-on coaching on how to craft compelling stories, create podcasts, and effectively use digital platforms to share their experiences. The workshop featured interactive sessions where participants learned the fundamentals of storytelling for advocacy, creating a supportive environment that allowed them to express their stories without fear of stigma or intimidation.
Artistic and creative methods, including podcasts, video and audio interviews, drama, art, spoken word, poetry, dance, and creative writing, were employed to help participants convey their messages in impactful ways. One participant, during a practical writing and speaking session, shared her story, demonstrating the powerful influence of creative expression in raising awareness and advocating for change.
“I remember the day I got married—it was one of the happiest moments of my life. I was deeply in love with my partner, and no one had to convince me that this was the right step. I eagerly anticipated a future filled with joy, love, and the blessing of children.
But a few years into the marriage, my dreams began to shatter. The love that once bound us turned into something dark and cruel. What was once a partnership became a prison of violence, marital rape, and relentless brutality. The joy I had known faded into emptiness, leaving me feeling like a shadow of the person I once was.
My opinions no longer mattered to him; everything had to go his way. In the beginning, I believed that if I just tried harder, I could fix things. I clung to the hope that the man I once loved would return. But the harder I tried, the more I lost myself. Friends and family urged me to make the marriage work, but their well-meaning advice only deepened my despair.
One day, I realized that staying in the marriage meant losing more than just my happiness—it meant losing my life. With that clarity, I made the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. I walked away without looking back, and I am so grateful that I did. By leaving, I didn’t just save my life; I reclaimed my mental stability and my sense of self”.
Post-Workshop Impact:
By the end of the workshop, participants expressed confidence in their ability to engage audiences through creative actions. Equipped with new skills and knowledge, the survivors are now ready to take their advocacy to virtual and physical platforms. They plan to share their stories, engage stakeholders on policy and programmatic actions, and address GBV without fear of stigma or discrimination.
In addition to their advocacy work, the trained survivors have taken on roles as Peer Mentors in their communities. They are actively educating others about GBV, raising awareness, and using tracking forms to monitor and support other survivors. By the end of the second quarter of our project, these Peer Mentors had engaged approximately 1,500 individuals in their communities through peer-to-peer sessions focused on GBV awareness, prevention, and information sharing.
A Community United Against GBV:
AfriYAN Ghana's Rallying Against Violence project continues to create safe spaces for survivors, empowering them to use their voices and experiences to advocate for an end to GBV. Through creative storytelling and artistic activism, these survivors are becoming powerful agents of change in their communities, inspiring others to speak out and take action against violence.
This initiative reflects AfriYAN Ghana's commitment to fostering a society where Gender Based Violence is not tolerated, and where survivors are supported, heard, and empowered to lead the charge in combating this pervasive issue.
Comments