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