Growing Free of Gendered Violence in Costa Rica

INTRODUCTION

With a fraction of the resources needed to execute the Growing Free of Gendered Violence Project in Costa Rica, we have advanced several of the activities outlined in the Project. Using creativity and arts, day by day, we are helping children to deconstruct the sexist imaginaries they have. We guide them to access an equal perspective of men and women and, to rebuild their self-perception and the way they relate to others.   

CARRIED OUT ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES

Activity 1:

Goal: 200 children explore their imaginaries on femininity and masculinity through movement.

Description: Moving to the rhythm of our emotions. Four sessions of creative movement and corporal expression using contemporary dance as a language for the expression of emotions and feelings around gender imaginaries.

Outcome: 200 boys and girls have explored and are more aware of their emotions and feelings around gender imaginaries and the concept of gender equality.

Activity 2:

Goal: 200 girls and boys explore their self-perception from a gender perspective using ludic, pedagogical, creative and, artistic activities to encourage emotions and feelings expression, and help them to recognize their potential as human beings beyond gender.

Description: Dreaming about my future. Kids create and embroider a pillow of their own, with an aspirational idea for the future. It is an exercise of creativity and concentration to help them to imagine a hopeful future, free from sexist limitations and stereotypes.

Outcome: 200 children have imagined their future and are aware of new opportunities that open up when they are not limited by sexist stereotypes. 

Activity 3:

Goal: 200 children identify the broader social and geographical environment in which they develop. Through socio-educational and cultural tours, they experience approximations/examples of opportunities/challenges of development in equal conditions.

Description: 200 children, organized by groups, participated in the following activities:

• An Hour Code Workshop at WMVare Corporation, Costa Rica. Kids learned basic coding in a very friendly way. The learned Code is cool and it is not difficult as well!  and –best of all– they learned that it doesn't matter if you are a girl or a boy –code is for everybody! 
• Contemporary Dance: A group of professional contemporary dancers taught a workshop. Participating kids discovered how fun and interesting contemporary dance is. And, learned that no matter if you are a boy or a girl –everybody can enjoy and benefit from dancing!
• March against Gender Violence: kids all together with their moms protested for the International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women. They carried placards prepared by themselves and chanted slogans in favour of peace and against gendered violence.
• A day of games and sports: Kids had the opportunity to enjoy games and sports free from gendered stereotypes. They experienced the freedom of playing and participating without the labels of boy or girl.

Outcome: 200 children have experienced that men and women are equal and entitled to equal opportunities and rights. 

HEART-TOUCHING STORY 1

Eduart was a beneficiary in our project up to sixth grade and now is a teenager. He started secondary school this year. Although he is not anymore in the age range to participate in our project, he likes to stop by and see what we are up to. When he saw the kids embroidering their pillows he immediately asked to participate in the activity. He did embroider his pillow and we were all thrilled with the result. It was wonderful to see this young man creating a embroider masterpiece with so much patience and creativity!

HEART-TOUCHING STORY 2

Nelson is in second grade. He loved the pillow project. He couldn't wait to finish it and took it home and applied himself to get it done. His mom wrote to us and said that Nelson worked on his pillow with a lot of perseverance and patience. He dedicated a lot of time and effort, and it paid off!

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