WUNRN
WISE - THE WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL
SHARED EXPERIENCE PROJECT
FILM & INTERNET
INDONESIA - WOMEN'S DEFIANT
CRY VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJKS-13BxIE
In 1999, the World Bank conducted a survey amongst 60,000 people living on less than
a dollar a day. When asked what they felt would make the greatest
difference to their lives, the number one answer, above even food and
shelter, was access to a voice.Women and girls are worst affected by
poverty worldwide and yet are crucial participants in the successful
development of their country. Women were therefore a vital target group to
engage in this participatory video project within Asia Women remain
under‐paid, under‐employed and under‐educated. Women
do however have more access to new technologies in the region than ever
before and thus the proposed project, WISE, will facilitate the
incorporation of these technologies into the lives of women, encouraging
them to use this technology as a tool of communication and empowerment as
well as using drama and video as a means of expression.
During
the WISE project, local women affected by poverty will explore how to express
themselves through film and the internet. WISE will work with women who have
been sex workers, trafficked, ex-drug offenders or have been subject to
physical, mental or sexual abuse in Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand and other
Asian countries.
WISE supports an experienced female filmmaker and community worker to work with
each women’s group to create films which highlight their heartfelt concerns and
then enable them to harness the power of the internet to advocate for their
rights.
Women participants will connect with national online networks to share
experiences and support. The women’s groups will also learn how to use
international websites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook to attract
attention and support from the international community. This aspect of the
project gives us the means to not only develop awareness and models of change
on a local level, but also in a global community context.
WISE provides each women’s group with film and IT equipment to sustain the
project after the project coordinator has left and so contribute to the long
term empowerment and equality of women in Asia.