Description
Τhe Re-Flower project is a photo-therapy workshop designed especially for women victims of trafficking or sex-workers living in the center of Athens. The workshop will take place every week for three hours in a building near where the women work. Using participatory photography the women express their fears, explore their social landscape and fight for their right to create and be free. Exploring the inner world and reconnecting with the group heals traumas and reinforces self-esteem. Ultimate goal of the workshop is to enable these women to become active and self-sufficient in their societies.
Summary of project results
It is estimated that over one million men in Greece pay annually for children and women's – victims of trafficking - sexual services. According to the European Commission half a million women are being trafficked to Western Europe. In Greece alone, 170.000 foreign women have arrived since 2012. "Re-flower" workshop 'embraced' the sensitive and troubled population of prostitutes, setting in Athens - in cooperation with the Salvation Army - the foundation for creating in the future a Support Centre in the area for these vulnerable groups. "Re-flower" was an innovative and unique effort to help victims of sex trafficking and sex workers. With the use of photography and other participating techniques the participants discovered a brand new world – one of creation, self-expression – where they would work to cultivate their self-confidence, with basic aim to help them get their ‘voice’ back and live for a while outside the margins of society. Throughout the 7-month project, Amaka held weekly meetings with this group of women which finally composed of 20 participants. At the meetings, the women learned photographic techniques and shared many emotions. At the end of the program, they organized with the therapists and presented an art exhibition, based at the venue were the workshop was held, while publishing a photo album with their thoughts and photographs. Along with the materialization of the workshops, Amaka organized open experiential art therapy workshops, participated in a festival for combating trafficking and attempted to interact with other organizations active in similar fields. Finally an attempt was made, through the use of web applications and social media to increase public awareness on related issues.
Summary of bilateral results