Over the course of 2014 and into 2015 Mixing The Colours staff and volunteers will blog on our exciting activities across Scotland as we champion women’s voices on the subject of anti-sectarianism.
Sectarianism is not simply a problem of men and football. Women experience sectarianism differently. There is a noted lack of literature and film resources available for exploring how sectarianism affects women. By developing resources we are working with women to find out how sectarianism affects them, their families and their communities.
We are sourcing and trialling accessible books, stories and films with women’s groups to widen accessible and interesting discussion with a diverse range of women to gather feedback from communities of women on sectarianism.
In the latter months of 2013 Writer, Magi Gibson delivered creative writing workshops with women from HMP Cornton Vale, Clydebank and Dumbarton Women’s History Groups and writers from the Federation of Scottish Writers including our own GWL members.
GWL learners produced a body of creative writing and poetry sharing their direct experience of sectarianism throughout their lives. On the whole learners were extremely forthcoming and honest in what they shared. They spoke of painful personal memories of family conflict and ostracisation, violence from ‘opposing’ groups and worries for their children growing up with sectarianism. Women told us that they believe that their role is a conciliatory one and their creative work directly challenged sectarianism.
As we enter the new year the project takes on an exciting urgency. In the past few weeks I’ve been following up on links, meeting projects and new partners with the aim of working in partnership to expand awareness of women’s experience and participation in community-led dialogues which position them centrally.
We’re also supporting GWL volunteers to get involved and broaden their skills by delivering a series of in-house training events on ‘Women and Sectarianism’, ‘Oral History’ and ‘Digital Film Making and Editing’.
2014 is looking very exciting indeed! We’ll keep you posted!
If you would like to get involved in the Mixing The Colours project or access the resources as a partner, learner or volunteer please get in contact.
