2 WAVES Issue No 2, January 2009
“To me the WWRP isspecial because of itsability to bring a diversegroup of young womentogether. The energiesthat spark and the wayeveryone comes to-gether is simply terri-fic.”
– enthused Seetha,facilitator of the Writersfor Women’s Rights Pro-gramme (WWRP) sixthworkshop, held from 13-16, November 2008.“It was … emotionallyintense. So it took meway back. But after that itwas good seeing newpeople, teaching themnew things on feminism. Itwas always interesting tosee how they react tothat,” said Su-Lyn, an-other facilitator for theworkshop.“… [T]he workshophas opened my eyes andhelped me see the worldin a different way. Femi-nists are not oversensi-tive; they are just beingperceptive, and they seethe injustices againstwomen in the media,”said Eileen Cham, 18,another participant ofWWRP 6.WWRP is a workshopcatered for young womenfrom the ages of 18 to 32with an interest towardswriting. The sixth work-shop was conducted overthe span of three and ahalf days at La Salle Hall,PJ. There were fifteensessions in total, mostgeared towards under-standing gender andwomen’s issues, the me-dia, and to develop writ-ing and analytical skills ofthe participants.“[But]… there wasmore to it than just writ-ing…” said ShobanaHema, another participantof WWRP 6.“The workshop helpedme realise what I am do-ing here … [I] never reallythought that there wereso many rape cases inthe paper, that there wasso much violence, somany divorces, so manyugly marital problems. Inever really looked at allthose… [W]hen I joinedthe organisation, I had to.It was part of my job torespond to articles so itbecame a routine that I…look at issues and I'm like‘Oh my God, there are somany things that is hap-pening.’ Then… [I] at-tended the workshop.The workshop openedup to how women arebeing discriminated in themedia. That was an eyeopener,” Shobana elabo-rated of her experience inWomen’s Centre forChange (WCC) inPenang.“Feminism is a per-sonal experience for all ofus, whether we are menor women. These ses-sions were more personalrather than intellectualbecause we would gatherour experiences when wetalk about things,” Su-Lyncontinued.Karen Lai, 31 anotherparticipant said “…[Y]oureally can’t write effec-tively without touching anerve yourself and with-out connecting to yourselfvery deeply. I think theworkshop aims to do a lotof things because it’s partof gender awareness andlearning about ourselvesas women and also femi-nism.”“When the circlearound me is never reallyaffected like my house,my family, my close fam-ily, my personal relation-ships, if we are all fine…but in other words, selfishkan?... But when Istarted to join the
[W]RITE AWAY!
by Farlina Said & Kang Soon Chen
See page 4
It is MY RIGHT to speakout. But have we forgot-ten our choice of words,tone and body language?Respect others.It is MY RIGHT to cleanair, water and environ-ment. But have we forgot-ten that we should use allthese resources withoutwastage and exploitation?Respect our environment.It is MY RIGHT to restand leisure. But have weforgotten how the domes-tic workers work 18 hoursa day? Respect our fellowassistants.It is MY RIGHT to volun-teer. But have we forgot-ten our responsibilitieswhen we take up thetask? Respect the posi-tion and trust from others.It is MY RIGHT to pen myview here. I respect yourchoice, your views andyour contribution towardsthe organisation, commu-nity and environment.WWRP 6 participants, facilitators and guest speakers.
Photo credit: Maisarah Muhd Najib
MY rights, your RIGHTS
by Ho Wai Ling
EditorialGender Workshop
3
WWRP (cont’)20th Anniversary
4
Staff Movement
5
Xmas Party Treasure Hunt
6
Myths of Femi-nism
7
Politics or wres-tling match?
8
Evaluation &Hopes
9-10
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