At femLENS, we are proud to announce our participation in the AGENCY: Vote With Her project, lead by the European Network of Migrant Women (ENoMW). Our collective efforts is to train women of migrant background(s) across Europe, to be active agents in the preparation for the European elections 2024. Supported by European Parliament, this exciting year and a half initiative is dedicated to promoting the political engagement of migrant women.
As part of this vital project, femLENS is providing visual storytelling and Photovoice training, a participatory research methodology. This approach seeks to document the experiences the of migrant women through their own informed lens and to create campaigns.
After a number of online meetings in the early spring, in June we held the first of two in-person bootcamps, to train participating women in photographic documentation methodologies, as well as techniques for public speeches and debate. The aim is to photographically document stories with key messages ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections focusing on the rights and experiences of migrant women. Some 30 women residing in different parts of the European Union with origins from Europe, Asia, Africa and America participated in this meeting.
The second group of Changemakers will meet in Berlin, Germany in July, and the third, online group, will meet in August. During these bootcamps, participants are introduced to different photographic projects, exercise narrative methodologies, study visual techniques and carry out practical exercises in photographic composition.
The femLENS team is dedicated to empowering migrant women to be the agents of their own narratives and advocates for change. By harnessing the power of photography and storytelling, we aim to provide a platform for their voices to be heard, acknowledged, and respected. Together, we strive for a more inclusive society that values the diverse experiences and contributions of migrant women in shaping our collective future.
Stay tuned for more updates on the incredible journey of femLENS and the AGENCY project: Vote With Her. Together, let’s pave the way for a Europe that recognizes and celebrates the rights and voices of all its inhabitants.