This manual is for trainers using storytelling as a feminist approach to facilitate space for activists to tell their stories in their own voices. Participants’ stories are not mediated through another nor are they (re)presented. Through the storytelling they represent themselves. Embedded in this module is how to create stories taking into account digital safety and understanding digital safety in activism. We have arranged the modules so that they can be used together or as stand alone sections.
The Association for Progressive Communications Women’s Rights Programme (APC WRP), started their journey with digital storytelling for transformation in 2007. Since then we have collaborated with partners around the globe to use digital storytelling as a feminist methodology for personal and collective healing, for evaluation, for building stronger networks and to build an alternative knowledge commons of people telling their own stories, in their own voices. We have partnered with organisations and individuals working on disability rights, preventing gender-based violence, sex workers, trans* activists, sexual rights activists and evaluators. Stories.apc.org
We are clear that people should tell their own stories, in their own voices and on their own terms. The storytellers own their stories. We are taking the power back and women’s stories should not be mediated by anyone else. Far too often women and gender non-conforming people have had their stories co-opted or told by others. We are claiming back our own stories.
We are now looking at storytelling more broadly and not just digital storytelling. We realised that in many of our spaces, it was the stories that opened people to a deeper and more embodied understanding of issues. In 2017 we we worked with a methodology called “The Museum of Moments” where we then adapted this to “The Museum of Movements” at our Making a Feminist internet convening.
What we are clear about is that this methodology is feminist, political and co-created in safe and inclusive spaces.
Table of contents
Personal stories for transformation
Representation and safety: Embedding safety in digital storytelling
Creative commons licensing, distribution and attribution
Storytelling from remote: Safety and care in online spaces