South Africa Training – Week Two

IMG_0515 Building on the strong start facilitated by our South African colleagues, we set out to identify the problems and issues relating to gender in Ethiopian farming communities; the list was long but hopeful. We used a modified version of open space technology (For more information, see: http://www.openspaceworld.com/users_guide.htm ) to determine what we knew, needed to know and what we needed to do. The ideas brought forward by our ATTSVE participants Tadila, Fikrte, Tigist and Sisay provided valuable insight into the situation on the groIMG_0518und in Ethiopia and create the context from which we were able to make our next steps. After reviewing the terminology around gender, equity, equality and mainstreaming, we set forth walking our talk by engaging in a collective photovoice project focusing on creating awareness of gender inequalities particularly in the division of domestic labour. A highlight in week two was our inclusion in a symposium held at the Durban University of Technology focusing on gender based violence on higher education campuses.  We were welcomed along with students and staff from DUT, UKZN, a Commissioner for Gender Equality in South Africa and contributors to Agenda Feminist Media journal; obviouIMG_0520sly a prestigious group. Many individuals spoke about the issues of genderbased violence on campuses in South Africa and the challenges facing young women but none so powerfully as a panel of female students from DUT. The strength and courage behind their words were inspiring.