Are you creating safe spaces in this YWCA Week without Violence?
What do safe spaces mean to your YWCA? During this YWCA Week without Violence, as you take actions to call on your communities to eradicate violence, we also urge you to reflect on the importance of safe spaces. Are safe spaces safe homes? Safe schools? Safe universities? Safe workplaces? Safe streets? What makes a safe YWCA?
The annual YWCA Week without Violence campaign, during which YWCAs around the world encourage their communities to think and act towards a world without violence, is also an opportunity to demand safe spaces. As the YWCA movement heads towards World YWCA Council 2011, Zurich, Switzerland to discuss ‘ Women Creating a Safe World, World YWCA President Susan Brenann believes it is time YWCAs think deeply about what safety and security truly means to the movement. “ We must come together to create safe and secure spaces for women and girls. Spaces which are free from violence and war, free from want and discrimination, spaces in which women and girls realise their full potential. We believe that all women are entitled to live in safety and security – whatever our status, circumstance or background, whatever their race, religion, culture, age, ability or sexuality. Whatever our differences.”
As part of your activities for YWCA Week without Violence consider discussing safety and security at your YWCA. Bring together a varied group of people that represent different sectors of your community including leaders and young people. Here are some points to consider during your discussion on what safe spaces mean in the YWCA:
- Listen carefully to what others say and not only with your head but your heart
- There is room for more than one opinion. If there is a disagreement, keep talking and explore both sides
- Keep an open mind, this will help you really listen and understand others views
- Dignity, respect and tolerance should be at the heart of your conversations
- Remember there is a difference between facts and feelings—even when we know the facts it may not change our feelings. Therefore, try to distinguish when the discussion is about facts versus feelings
- When you hear new information that is contrary to your beliefs, before rejecting it ask yourself, “How would this affect my life if it is true?
- Remember that when someone is speaking from their experiences, it does not invalidate yours
Finally, remember to treat others how you would like to be treated.
This is the time for YWCAs around the world to take leadership to bring about changes in every home and community where there is suffering and create safe and secure communities.
Send your event details, reflections on safe spaces and photos to moomoo.hsoe@worldywca.org to be featured on the World YWCA website.
Related Stories
