Article
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global emergency that has plagued girls and women throughout history. Defined as harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender, GBV is a constant threat for girls and women around the world, regardless of their age, race, or socioeconomic status. They are at risk everywhere and anywhere — at work, at school, and at home.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the situation is particularly alarming. According to the OSCE, every second woman has experienced some form of violence since the age of 15. This violence is often seen as socially acceptable behavior, justified by traditional patriarchal norms and gender stereotypes. UN Women’s 2017 research on attitudes towards violence against women (VAW) shows that 35.2% of people in BiH believe it is important for a man to show his wife or partner who is the boss.
The “Empower Them: Even One Is Too Many” Civic Action Campaign, implemented by Sarajevo Fellows Zanubia Mohamed, Sydney Perlotto, Marta Szymanderska-Pastryk, and Haris Šehović, aimed to raise awareness about GBV in BiH through an interactive community art exhibition and workshop. This campaign sought to create a space for people to gather knowledge, reflect, and express their thoughts through art, connecting individuals of all genders and experiences to support those affected by GBV.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
- Raising Awareness about GBV: The event showcased facts and personal stories about GBV, displayed through various interactive exhibits and an educational zine in English and Bosnian.
- Creating a Space for Reflection: Participants engaged with immersive and interactive experiences, such as sticky note Q&A, quiz questions, reflective mirrors, and a power and control wheel, to reflect on GBV.
- Developing Advocacy Tools: Participants created written and visual art pieces expressing their visions for addressing GBV and promoting a safer, healthier future. These pieces will be compiled into a zine for advocacy use by feminist organizations in BiH.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
On June 28, 2024, at Kawa Cafe in Sarajevo, Fellows group hosted a community art workshop and exhibition on GBV. Attendees included representatives from the CURE Foundation and local supporters. The event featured stories of GBV survivors, statistics, and interactive exhibits that allowed participants to reflect on their own experiences and the broader issue of GBV.
In preparation for the event, team collected stories of GBV survivors, compiled facts and figures, and consulted with organizations like UNFPA and CURE. They also promoted the event through posters, social media, and personal invitations to ensure a good turnout.
This exercise invited participants to step into the shoes of someone affected by GBV. They read stories offering glimpses into the thoughts and experiences of GBV survivors, reflected in a mirror, and contemplated the ongoing issue of GBV in BiH and beyond.
The power and control wheel illustrated the various tactics abusers use to exert control over their partners. Participants engaged with the wheel by placing stickers on the tactics that resonated with their own experiences or observations, contributing to a collective understanding of domestic violence’s complexities.
Participants created art pieces reflecting their emotions and thoughts about GBV. These pieces were anonymously compiled into a zine, which will be published online and printed for use by women’s organizations in BiH and Humanity in Action BiH to raise awareness and advocate for GBV prevention.
