The principles of ‘voice’ and ‘participation’ are widely used by civil society, especially among grassroots organisations. The terms are simple but can be complex when we break them down in terms of their attributes, steps, and process. In-focus will feature our partners' work in strengthening a participatory approach and creating spaces for women’s voices to be heard. The articles will also cover how partners work towards a broader goal for social justice, political or economic crisis response, and collectivising women workers and trafficked persons.
RJ-ing to Collectivise
During the Voice and Participation meeting in Chiang Mai in February 2023, the room was delighted when Pim introduced herself as the community organiser at MAP Foundation and radio jockey at the MAP radio station. Her role as Radio jockey (RJ) at the MAP radio station is linked to her social and cultural roots in the Shan community as well as her work as a community organiser of domestic workers in Thailand. In subsequent conversations with her, we learnt that she migrated to Chiang Mai, Thailand from Shan State in Burma for a better life and to work. She has worked in many roles - domestic worker, waitress, nanny, and now as a community organiser in MAP Foundation. There are other former migrants who are also now presenters and DJs at the MAP radio station in both Chiang Mai and Mae Sot.[1]
‘History/Our Story’ Workshop: Creating a space of belonging
This is an in-depth interview with our partner Mission d'intervention et de sensibilisation contre la traite des êtres humains (henceforth, MIST) about their ‘History/ Our Story’ workshop. The workshop is an activity curated for and with MIST members. It is designed to better understand how members’ personal stories are intertwined with the history of humankind using movies. MIST members watch the movies together and discuss topics connected to the history of slavery, the civil rights movement in the United States, and women’s fight for their legal rights. This workshop is conducted every second Tuesday of each month.
“Nessuna da sola”: No One Left Behind
“Once again we were excluded from the system,” said Pia Covre, a former sex worker and one of the founders of the Committee for the Civil Rights of Prostitutes (henceforth, Comitato), which promotes the legal recognition and decriminalisation of sex work in Italy.
This statement from our colleague was the starting point of the Italian campaign “Nessuna da sola” or “No One Left Behind”. One of our eight Voice and Participation project partners, Comitato, initiated grassroot activism in Italy against the exclusionary policy of the government that left sex workers out of state support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign crowdfunded 30,000 Euros to support them.
We are ‘On Your Side’
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic was a litmus test for existing racism and discriminatory practices. A research report from the United Kingdom showed that, ‘according to U.K. police data there was a rise of 300% in hate crimes towards ESEA people in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2018 and 2019’.[1] However, this number tells us only a fraction of the larger picture of structural racism.
In this article, we discuss how the movement against racially motivated hate crime[2] started in the UK, the role of ESEA organisations in sustaining it, and aligning issues and activisms within the movement. We highlight the role of our UK partner Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC) within this movement.