2024Women

The following original project objectives were achieved, and remained consistent throughout the project implementation : -raising awareness about women's rights and contemporary challenges for wo...

The following original project objectives were achieved, and remained consistent throughout the project implementation : -raising awareness about women's rights and contemporary challenges for women -community building for mutual solidarity and support -talent development for women, to provide a key tool to make their voices heard -developing an innovative participatory education methodology, using the arts, to discuss social issues publicly and democratically -Sharing and developing possible solutions from different perspectives, individuals, cultures and organisations -Developing a sustainable local and international trajectory that leads to a new international women's movement, including a congress in 2026

2024women is a social-artistic and participatory project involving women from diverse cultural and social backgrounds in 3 European cities (Antwerp, Marseille, Rotterdam). The project connected and shared experiences between three partner organisations – Madam Fortuna, BecauseUArt, Dona Daria – local women and organisations from diverse communities and a wider local and online public. The focus of this exchange was discussion, debate, support and solidarity on issues of gender injustice, sexual harassment, cyber harassment, domestic violence and other everyday gender-related challenges. Through participatory education and training using different artistic disciplines, we guided the women project participants to express their personal testimonies using the arts (including song, dance, theatre, visual arts, textiles and audio-visual mediums). This took place during a year-long series of local workshops in Antwerp, Marseille, Rotterdam and an international workweek and public performance in Antwerp in November 2024. This process was accompanied by continuous communication and dissemination activities to share project outputs and results with a wider public, and develop local and international networks around women’s rights issues.

Through the three local trajectories, a core group of over 70 women were engaged regularly in socio-artistic workshops and discussion groups, facilitated by project partners, artistic coaches and professionals from associated organisations. In November 2024, 35 of these women were able to participate in an international workweek in Antwerp, to create a powerful collective performance addressing gender violence, sharing personal testimonies, and fostering solidarity among women. Two sold-out shows were performed, with a public of 200 people. Post-performance discussions created a safe space for audience members to share their own experiences and engage with project participants. Key local public, professionals and organizations connected with the project via the workweek, and also public performances and exhibitions held locally in the three cities, reaching a wider public of over 1500 people. This dissemination was further expanded via social media (Instagram, facebook, youtube - see Activity 5) to approx 9000 people, and via the Women26 online platform: www.2026women.org A strong network of organisations, led by Madam Fortuna, will continue Women26 activities, working together towards the Tribunal26