Femicide, The B&W Photo Challenge, and Groundswell

Throughout the past week, social media feeds, particularly on Instagram, have been flooded with photos of women reclaiming their power, their identity, supporting each other, and glow in the fun of sharing images of themselves.

To begin we want to acknowledge all of you amazing human beings who thought to ask us to participate in the #WomenSupportingWomen/#ChallengeAccepted movement that has trended recently. Not a day goes by that we aren’t in awe of the community of self- identifying women who empower each other and strengthen our resolve for what is right in a heart-centered fashion.

With that said we’re choosing to continue using our platform to support our sisters who are experiencing various forms of trauma and the challenges that come along with facing oppressive systems that continue to reinforce trauma.

We took to educating ourselves on the current issues abroad, the stories, the women and it’s global effects. Regardless of the origins, the intent, the direction the challenge may have taken, we are here to show our support in solidarity with our sisters in Turkey and their fight, our collective fight as women, to shed light on female genocide and the importance of The Council of Europe’s Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, otherwise known as the Istanbul Convention. Back in March for International Women’s Day, women from France, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Spain, among others, took to the streets to protest in honor of the women who had been killed.

Female genocide isn’t new but it has increased at a significant rate, something our partner organizations have seen the effects of. Creating a community of support with the tools and space that Aid in the restoration of our participant’s dignity, honor, worth, and strength is something Groundswell and our partner organizations like Everhome, ARM of Care, GenerateHope, G.I. Josie and many others feel honored to carry out.

Talking about femicide, violence against women, and trauma are important issues to shed light on because it happens all over the world en masse and it reaches as far and as wide to so many of us in our communities. “Femicide is defined differently around the globe, though it’s often symptomatic of the same issues: domestic violence, sexual violence, and misogyny.” Jess McHugh, Washington Post

As we use our collective voice, we embody the very nature of Mother Ocean creating the Groundswell of Change intended to liberate all self-identifying women who are experiencing trauma, violence, and ultimately death. As we move forward, the foundation of sisterhood, healing, and possibility lingers in the aura of every moment another sister finds and uses her voice. That very energy creates a momentous swell of awareness that can be felt beyond shores, beyond encased hearts of apathy, and propel us towards real change.

Below you’ll find resources to some of our partner organizations, how to identify signs of Domestic Violence and signs of Human Trafficking, as well as a list of businesses/ organizations that create & sell products that support and celebrate women survivors.

Organizations we work with that specialize in Trauma Recovery for Female Military/ Veterans, Sexual Trauma, Human Trafficking:

Recognizing Human Trafficking: Courtesy of Generate Hope & Polaris Project

Someone you know may be in a sex trafficking situation if:

They want to stop participating in selling or trading sex but feel scared or unable to leave
They disclose that they were reluctant to engage in selling sex but that someone pressured them into it

They live where they work or are transported by guards between home and workplace
They are children who live with or are supported by or dependent on a family member with a substance abuse problem or who is abusive in other ways
They have a pimp or manager in the sex trade
They work in an industry where it may be common to be pressured into performing sex acts for money, such as a strip club, illicit cantina, go-go bar, or illicit massage business
They have an older, or simply controlling parent, guardian, romantic partner or “sponsor” who will not allow you to meet or speak with the person alone or monitors their movements, spending and/or communications

Someone might be in a labor trafficking or exploitation situation if you learn they:

Feel pressured by their employer to stay in a job or situation they want to leave
Owe money to an employer or recruiter and/or not being paid what they were promised or are owed
Do not have control of their passport or other identity documents
Are living and working in isolated conditions, largely cut off from interaction with others or support systems
Appear to be monitored by another person when talking or interacting with others
Are being threatened by their boss with deportation or other harm
Are working in dangerous conditions, without proper safety gear, training, adequate breaks and other protections
Are living in dangerous, overcrowded or inhumane conditions provided by an employer