16 Days - Update on the Courageous Ivoirian Photographers
Posted by Ann Jones on 20 December, 2007
 Village women in Cote d’Ivoire speak up for themselves—and for their daughters. These schoolgirls represent the future. Photo: Koffi Amenan Yvonne and Konan Amenan Suzanne |
| The International Rescue Committee is working with writer, photographer and long-time women’s advocate Ann Jones to give women in war zones an opportunity to document their own lives with digital cameras and make their voices heard.
During the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence,” which wrapped up on December 10, Ann blogged the first phase of the project from Cote d’Ivoire. You can catch her earlier posts here and sign up to get an e-mail alert about her next series of posts — from Liberia — at theIRC.org/join16days. A Global Crescendo: Women’s Voices from Conflict Zones: Update on the project in Cote d’Ivoire When the IRC Gender-based Violence team started this project, they were often questioned about its title: “A Global Crescendo: Women’s Voices from Conflict Zones.” Some found it confusing. Why use terminology of sound—“crescendo”—for a visual project in photography? Here’s why. This photo project isn’t about photos. It’s about women raising their voices. The photos women take to document their lives start the conversation. They provide incontrovertible evidence of what women dare to speak about. In the end, it’s those voices and their echoes that count. It’s that crescendo. If you followed the postings from Cote d’Ivoire during the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women (November 25-December 10), you know that courageous women photographers in three Ivoirian villages spoke up for women. That was just the beginning. Those voices still reverberate. In Zatta village, the women photographers elected officers and officially registered the group—“Anouanze”—with village authorities. (They chose as secretary Kasso Roseline, the Internally Displaced woman who first found friends by joining this project.) They regularly attend village meetings, and they accepted an invitation from the progressive chief to become part of his board of counselors. In that capacity, they give advice on devising effective laws and punishments to stop violence of all kinds in the village, and they discuss all issues of concern to women and children. In effect, in six weeks time, women who previously had no voice at all became full, influential participants in local governance. (Those who like to warn that change always takes a long time, please take note.) In Koupela-Tenkodoko, without official support from village chiefs, women continue to work for household reforms and an end to violence against women. They know their rights. The photographers still meet as a group and informally give advice and support to women in need. Local hero Samandougoulou Assetou and her husband—still a changed man—have set a powerful example. So too have Yougoubare Veronique and her husband, the village exemplar of a “good man.” The effects seem to be rippling from house to house. In Zokoguhe, the women photographers continue to meet regularly, and they have expanded their efforts to collect food, clothing, and supplies to support abandoned women. They too have become strong campaigners for their rights, and their voices have been heard in neighboring villages. Recently, Zokoguhe women went to the nearby village of Zoukougbeu to join a march for Women’s Rights. The village chief refused to acknowledge the event, but when the marchers passed his house, all four of his wives left the compound to join the parade. And after that joint celebration, the women of Zoukougbeu decided to “take action.” That’s “crescendo.” In all these villages, IRC GBV field agents still work daily to raise awareness and to support the advocacy and action of these new women leaders. On Sunday, December 2, a formal exhibition of 45 photographs by women of the three villages opened in the Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix in Yamassoukro, the legislative capital of the country. In the new year, the exhibition will appear on March 8 (International Women’s Day) at the Grand Mosque in Yamassoukro, and it will also travel to Abidjan. |
22 December, 2007 at 10:34 am
United we stand!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whow. I’ve been following this from the first sixteen days. At first I was so horrified. I felt useless to help. How can this be…I thought. I cryed for my sisters. Your project has been a miracle. May God protect, bless and guide you through out all your days and journeys and projects. You are an Angel to have even considered taking this on. This is the best Christmas gift ever to see my sisters rising up for their their families and themselves and each other. A thousands thank you’s for all you do. All so quickly too. God Bless you in God speed.
Much Love, Beverly
22 December, 2007 at 11:11 am
Dear Ann,
You are laboring the vineyard of God! As a refugee who worked with International Rescue Committee in the extremely north west of Kenya Kakuma Camp;I do always check an IRC web page often times. And I was thrown into the 16th Days of Activism and I thought of dropping some lines. I worked on different capacity where my last tenure was coordinatiing the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse project. My wintess is women and girls suffer a lot as result of inadequatly planned intervention strategies.
During the 2006 16th Days of Activism we in corporated a series of video shows to create awareness and the impact was felt. When we projected “Neira” a film from Zimbabwe: Neira widow refused to be inherited by her late husband’s younger brother, took the case to court and won it. During a facilited discussion after the film the resopnse was “Great Neira, well done…” Using photo-journalism and video camera is a creative and effective strategy to many women who are illiterate. Well done Ann for giving opportunities for women to share thier experiences to world.
Dear Ann I love to share my life experiences and work in promoting gender equality.I am currently in Louisville-KY USA.
22 December, 2007 at 11:54 am
This entire project has given me hope and empowerment. Money and words never seems to change minds, just action and bravery. Ann, you have made it so that these women could not be ignored any longer. That is a victory.
Gabrielle-Philadelphia, PA. -College Student-
22 December, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Right ON !
22 December, 2007 at 4:08 pm
We are so ecstatic for these women! my sons & I are so pleased to hear about positive changes on the roll. We wish we could celebrate with these women. :) My sons would like to say that teaching kids to learn that *passing the word* actually helps them begin and start changes, is very empowering. A beautiful gift for all people and the future. We send our prayers and will keep our Email open to all your news! Hugs to all! Bon chance! :)
22 December, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Let us also bless the men who loved their wives enough to change. It is their voices that will resonate the loudest among the other men. The men are used to tuning out the women and not paying attention to them; but when their brothers speak they give more value to thier words. G*d bless such loving men who love strong women.
Raechal - Arizona Artist
23 December, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Dear Ann, I add my own voice to the “Crescendo” of voices saying thank you to you and the IRC for envisioning and carrying out this courageous, creative–and effective–work. Here at the winter solstice, the darkest time of the year, you and these women bring light that will spread and illuminate the world. With love from your friends and family in Massachusetts, Patricia
23 December, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Thank you so much, Ann, for the update and the work you did to help these amazing women find their voices. I was hopeful, but also worried that the minute you left the men would try to intimidate the women and regain their position of power. I was delighted to read that the village chief’s wives also joined the march! It’s good to see that the men are beginning to have a shift in attitude too. The men and especially the children will all benefit from the women’s courage.
24 December, 2007 at 5:25 am
Oh thank you for this update. These women have left their voices on my heart continents away. It is with tears I hear of the progressive chief and the changed husbands. The women who march and meet and share lives together. Those helping the abandoned among them. The ripples are felt even here in Atlantic Canada. Thank you.
26 December, 2007 at 9:15 am
I am a man. I once was voilent but I decided to change because of God. I have stoped hiting women for the fact that we all have our respects. Its a good thing you are doing. May God give you strenght to continue in all your endeavours. I hope to support the advocacy of women to the best of my ability. Thank you.
27 December, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Thanks for the update. I am so glad to hear all the good news of progress for these women, their children, and especially the progress of their men. Please keep us updated on how they are doing.
30 December, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Thanks for this update. Please update us again in future weeks and months. And thank you for your courageous, selfless, and persevering work in these war-torn and potentially dangerous places in the world. For now, I must live vicariously through you.
27 March, 2008 at 2:40 pm
People such as yourselves is what gives me hope for the humanity of the human race. When I first saw the commercial regarding this I was so outraged and saddened by this. I am not a cryer, but I cried hearing this. War is hard and bad enough without sexual violence. I wish I could go there myself to help so I am so thankful that people like you can and do. May all the good you do come back thrice fold for both the people this is affecting and yourselves.
The Very Best of Wishes