Comments on: Supporting Survival: Perspectives on Young Women’s Empowerment Project Event

By: Ash

Ash — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:01:43 +0000

I think that the way they framed self-harm resilience was as a harm reduction technique. It’s a harm reduction method because it was a way some girls could prevent much worse outcomes such as suicide or other forms of extreme violence. Although it may seem destructive to people looking in from the outside, self-inflicted harm in a moment of absolute desperation can sometimes help someone find temporary relief/soothing that could prevent them from taking their lives. Rather than judging/condemning self-harm coping strategies, I think we need to try to understand that these techniques can be a harm reduction strategy, in the most desperate moments. To judge this method of resilience is to invalidate the experience of people around the world who have used self-harm at desperate moments to save their lives. It may not be a “healthy” coping strategy, but it is a strategy nonetheless.

By: Zarah Iqbal

Zarah Iqbal — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:27:23 +0000

What inspired me most about the project was that the young women themselves both wrote the research study and gave the presentation, in an incredibly moving, but also professional and well thought-out manner. The presentation showed us first hand the potential of these young women not only to cope with the violence they have experienced, but also to come out of the experience as incredibly capable, gifted women.

By: Melissa Gira Grant

Melissa Gira Grant — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:45:07 +0000

Nicole, thanks for this report back from the YWEP event. They are definitely at the forefront of community-led support & organizing, without judgment.

One piece of their work that most excited me was the way that everyone who comes to YWEP can join YWEP, that everyone has a job and is part of the work. A significant flip from the “rescue” sorts of organizations that aim to support girls and young women in the sex trade and street economies, but tend to view their engagement in the sex trade as the only issue they are bringing to the table, the “thing” that needs fixing. YWEP isn’t offering a service; it’s about leadership and expertise and building power from within. Which lets girls and young women bring their whole selves to that work. So inspiring!

Their gift of aromatherapy for all of us who attended was also a sweet touch.