May, 2015
In 2013, NEN initiated a programme called Capacity Building of Grassroots Women Leaders for Peace with objectives to strengthen women’s participation in decision making processes and address issues of Violence against Women. The process begin with 30 participantys across various districts of Assam. Trainings were followed by their participation in surveys and studies on domestic violence in rural Assam and women’s representation in local governance.
The idea of the creative workshop was to provide a feminist space to these women leaders trained by NEN to express themselves as an agency, to enhance their self esteem and also for creative expression of their thoughts and experiences on women’s rights and equality. 8 such leaders from 8 districts participated in the workshop. Feminist writer and activist Rashmirekha Borah facilitated the workshop through sessions on writing, drawing and book reading etc. Emiment feminist writer of Assam Nirupama Borgohain was the guest speaker in the event.
The space helped the women leaders to understand and appreciate women’s literary works which in turn liberated them to express themselves through medium of writing.The freedom allowed them to draw a connection between the everyday’s realities of women’s lives and the work they do. Finally, it encouraged them to develop their latent writing skills. Their creativities will be published in the form of a newsletter.
