FEEDBACK AND IMPACT OF THE THEME AND OF THE RISINGS : ( GENERAL / BROAD – SHARED BY ALL COORDINATORS ):
• Deepened the understanding of the importance and intimate relationship of the living body with the body of the earth .
• Much easier to connect violence against women and the earth , climate change .
• Positive impact on communities with women really embracing the theme .
• Women felt valued .
• Communities felt the theme was very relevant now , in a time of pandemic .
• Connected different groups to look at the relevance of issues affecting them .
• Highlighted women as the continuity of the life of the earth .
• Helped in restoring women ’ s self- confidence .
• Gave deeper appreciation of nature and our bodies .
• Challenged patriarchy in a different way , through the lens of the earth .
• Gave more opportunities for the youth and for rural women to lead and express freely .
• Brought inclusivity , acceptance and care as part of the political movement .
• Brought much deeper appreciation for the strength of solidarity and unity .
• Enabled wider communication of the issues to communities who were initially not interested .
• Saw wider participation of social movements in all areas : age , class , gender , race , climate .
• Allowed different kinds of spaces to be held .
• Hugely energized and uplifted people , particularly in these difficult times .
• Created discourse on varied themes – like “ notions and perceptions of beauty ”, on “ covid , health and women ’ s bodies ”, on “ women exploring the potential of their bodies ”, on what “ women sacrifice for care work .”
• “ Mainstreaming ” artistic approaches to issues enabled wider understanding of the issues and engaged more participants and audiences .
• Key impact in the media and on social media .
• Many young activists found theme empowering – developing a new movement – “ girls , the earth and climate activism .”
• Allowed many communities to think about the labor women put in and how it affects their body and mental health .
• Theme drew more local partnerships .
• Challenged communities to look within and reflect on their individual actions .
• Connection of women ’ s bodies and the earth made the approach more practical – so that local governments , members of parliament , organizations and community leaders supported OBR .
• The organic growth of how collective action and being organized is power .
• Online and offline activities grew , despite covid , bringing much bigger public awareness .
• Art became critical for healing -for filling a gap between survivors speaking out and then getting help .
• OBR continued to raise awareness and bring and strengthen solidarity .
• Brought us back to the origins of our movement and activism – the war on women ’ s bodies .