The team, Lisa, Astrid, Noku and myself (Rakiya) travelled from Durban to the community of Winterton to host a one day workshop, a Community Consultation, with teachers, social workers and learners from the community and surrounding communities to discuss girls safety. The consultation was held at the Isibani Community Center from 9-4; there were 12 community members who attended the workshop and participated in a variety of activities throughout the day. The activities the team and myself had planned included introductions; ensuring everyone felt comfortable with the team as well as the Informed Consent Forms and making sure they were aware of the project and what we will be doing for the day. As well as them understanding this is voluntary and 100% confidential.
After introductions we also conducted an icebreaker that pertained to the topic of girl’s safety in the community. The purpose of icebreakers is to be used at the beginning of discussions, workshops and seminars. It is used to relieve tension, introduce each other and get to know each other as well as the topic of discussion. They are important not only to get to know each other but also so everyone in the group can see the different realities and perspectives of everyone involved. There are many different icebreakers one can use, the one we used involved in asking a series of questions pertaining to Girl’s Safety; it is called “Step into the circle if…” this activity is to show how much we do and do not have in common. It was important to explain to the participants that we will ask a statement like “Step into the circle if...” and if it applies to them then they step into the circle. We needed to ensure that they know they do not have to step into the circle if they don’t want to let the other participants to know their answer to your statement/question, but that you will never ask something that doesn’t apply to you as well so they will never be alone. We conducted this icebreaker and the results were very interesting.
Our biggest activity during the consultation was our community mapping exercise. This was created by the team for the participants to ensure we listen to what the community at large is saying about girl’s safety; what are the key barriers, what is already available in the community to help with change, what is your vision for change around this issue and how we can mobilize this change. We numbered off the participants and split them into three groups of four and gave them flip chart paper and coloured pens. Their task, as a group, was to brainstorm the above questions and create a community map. We then had them present their research as a team and from there we gave them all 15 stickers to vote on the ones that are and should be a priority. From the voting, we made sure as a group that we all agreed on the priorities we narrowed down and from there we created a new community map. Out of the priorities that were listed, three were consistently discussed; (1) awareness in the community and at home around girl’s safety, (2) educating the parents and the traditional leaders about this issue and what we can do about it together (3) and safe spaces for girls to be able to start these conversations amongst themselves, for example creating a Girls Advisory Committee/Girls Group in the community were prevalent. This further validated what the community needs as well that this participatory methodology of conducting research needs to continue and that the project is extremely important to combating Gender Based Violence to ensure our girls and youth, the next generation, are safe!
