14 December 2022 12:01 am Views - 276
A workshop on filmmaking in progress
It is important to train women in film-making. No doubt that the art of making films empowers women.” The Centre for Media and Information Literacy (CMIL) conducted two mobile short
“When girls remain in silence, it becomes extremely hard to create constant recognition
for equality,” commented Thanushiya, a young filmmaker and university graduate
Addressing Gender- based Violence
During both training sessions, the young girls learned how to produce short films to address issues such as economic inequality, GBV, climate injustice, digital misogyny, a lack of gender-responsive, political and civic participation. The girls from Jaffna made a practice film on sexual harassment where they discussed how young women are trapped by officials of the corporate and state institutions. Viewing the film, those girls maintained that culture of zero tolerance is needed to eliminate sexual harassment.
The girls collectively affirmed that fear of sexual harassment discourages women from discovering their own potential, achieving their goals and fulfilling their aspirations. Thanushiya, a young filmmaker and university graduate said, “short films in Jaffna have also created a greater awareness amongst the youth on the rights of young girls and the LGBTQ community. She said that “when girls remain in silence, it becomes extremely hard to create constant recognition
for equality.”
Breaking Silence
Ayesha Chathurangi, lecturer at University of the Visual and Performing Arts, mentioned that it’s extremely vital for women to break their silence against Gender-based Violence and Human Rights violations and continue to challenge the systemic oppressions against women and young girls. “One of the most effective ways to make this happen is to empower women to produce critical narratives articulating their lived realities.” she said. All the women in attendance endorsed it while many complemented her statement with their personal stories.
Substantiating Ayesha’s statement, the majority of girls from the Northern Province said sexual bribery, sexual harassment on public transport, gender-based discrimination, cyber-misogyny, and denying access to the public sphere, are some of the issues that they face in their daily life. Yet most of the women do not speak out loud about their lived experience, in seeking justice.
“When producing films on the lived reality of women, it is important to use metaphoric approaches and to engage the audience emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and physically,” says Divya Rasathurai, a young female short filmmaker
Rights to Safe Abortion
The girls from the Eastern Province made two exercise films focusing on the right to marital consent of girls and right to safe abortion and shared their personal experience in crafting their script. Ms. Keshayini Edmond, a participant and short filmmaker directed a short film about the right to safe abortion which highlighted the stigma around it. Young girls indicated that some fathers and families dismantle the right of girls to choose a partner of her choice and that their consents aren’t valued..
During the training, Divya Rasathurai, a young female short filmmaker stated, “when producing films on the lived reality of the women, it is important to use metaphoric approaches and to engage the audience emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and physically. Women should not be portrayed as powerless, helpless, voiceless and vulnerable individuals”.