The 'clothesline'
Project - Sri Lanka
The 'clothesline' project is a visual display of sari-blouses,
redde-hettes, t-shirts or any other garment with statements and
illustrations created by women affected by violence. Each woman's
garment hung on the 'clothesline' depicts the staggering, often
mind-numbing statistics of gender based violence in more tangible
and more human terms. This moving display increases awareness
of the extent, prevalence and impact of violence against women,
honor's women's courage and strength to survive such experiences
and can often provide a safe means through which women can individually
and collectively break the silence that often surrounds experiences
of violence.
Background and History
In 2002, the Colombo based Women's Support Group inspired by
similar projects of the same name in North America started the
'clothesline' Project - Sri Lanka. The project began in 1990 in
Massachusetts, USA with a public display of 31 t-shirts on a public
green. A coalition of women's rights groups and women's support
organisations collaborated to develop a project that would educate,
break the silence and bear witness to one issue - violence against
women. Moved by the power of the AIDS Quilt, the coalition identigfied
garments hanging on a clothesline as the vehicle for this moving
and powerful message.
The idea of a clothesline seemed simple and almost universal
- laundry has always been considered women's work; women all over
the world often congregate over the washing, talking across the
washing lines in suburban settings or around the washing stones
in rural areas. Each garment documents in whole or part, one woman's
story in her own words or artwork. Today the clothesline concept
has taken root in 500 communities in more than 6 countries. There
are estimated 50,000 to 60,000 garments that have become part
of this effort. Exhibits in communities around the world are an
educational tool for those who come to view the 'clothesline'.
It can be a healing tool for those who submit a story; it allows
those who are still suffering in silence to know they are not
alone and where to go for help.
The 'clothesline' Project Sri Lanka endeavours to:
§ Bear witness to the experiences of women who have been
affected by violence
§ Assist in the healing process for women survivors or gender
based violence
§ Document the extent, prevalence and impact of violence
against Women
§ Raises awareness of this social problem in Sri Lankan communities
§ Informs survivors, those suffering in silence and the wider
public about care, assistance and support resources available
in their communities
The 'clothesline' Project Sri Lanka 2003 will begin on November
25th - the International day for the Eradication of Violence Against
Women. Following a one night opening exhibition with special guests
the clothesline will travel to four communities island wide in
the North, East and South. Each locale will host a 2 days exhibition
of the clothesline before it returns to Colombo for a public exhibit
on December 10 - International Human Rights Day.
Implementing Organisations
While the WSG has initiated this project in Sri Lanka and continues
to sponsor the 'clothesline' Project, the project's success is
dependent upon the contribution and collaboration of many community
based services and advocacy organisations. Implementing partners
utilize their community based networks to share information about
the project and distribute garments/materials to local organisations
and individuals. They also provide the critical link between affected
women in communities island wide and the exhibit.
Implementing Organisations also have an opportunity to design
educational posters for presentation at the exhibition. These
posters provide information about violence against women locally
and globally and the services provided by the participating organisations
to support victims of gender based violence in Sri Lanka. To date,
the Implementing Organisations include:
§ Sarvodya Women's Movement
§ Surviviors Associated
§ CARE-Sri Lanka: The Gender based violence program
§ Psychosocial Forum of the Consortium for Humanitarian Agencies
§ Family Rehabilitation Center
§ Women In Need
§ Sumithrayo
§ CENWOR
§ National Center for Victims of Crime
Although the Women's Support Group is sponsoring the project,
it also seeks
assistance from well wishers to defray the costs of the project
and wherever possible, donations - financial and otherwise - will
be greatly appreciated. Barefoot Gallery has generously offered
their premises at a much reduced cost for the opening exhibition
on 25th November. They are also donating their premises for a
drop off center for old clothes that can be recycled into the
clothesline. Cyber Studios and Gray Cat Productions have offered
their creative services for advertisements, brochures, posters
and other publicity materials. ANCL has generously agreed to insert
15 advertisements in the local language newspapers and include
editorials and articles about the project in these newspapers
as well. The WSG is very grateful to all these organisations that
have come forward at this time to lend a helping hand.
Obviously, one of the key elements to the 'clothesline' is submissions
of stories by victims of violence. Any woman or her friend that
wishes to submit her story - anonymously, can contact the WSG
at the following numbers and addresses:
The Women's Support Group
Tel: +94 (0)75-556122
Tel/Fax: +94-11-2682278
Email: wsg@eol.lk/info@wsgsrilanka.org
HOME
