“We laughed, cried, and shared our stories. One doesn’t realise how vital these connections are until one experiences them. That’s when we discover that despite our lonely lives, we’re not really alone.”
In Senegal, sex workers endure relentless violence, discrimination, and societal prejudice. Many have suffered from sexual assault and are often met with bias from healthcare providers. To combat these challenges, a womn’s rights organisation inspired by participating in the 2nd Feminist Republik Festival organised a transformative two-day festival for 30 survivors of violence. The gathering provided a nurturing space where womn could openly share their experiences, form connections with others, and access vital support as they embarked on their journeys of healing. The activities and offerings included engaging roundtable discussions, traditional and contemporary well-being sessions, and rejuvenating wellness treatments.
Beyond promoting well-being and healing, the festival aimed to strengthen the solidarity of sex worker rights activists. The collective hopes to create a more supportive environment by forging alliances and connections that also promote self-care as an integral part of their activism work. The festival also highlighted the need for sustainable solutions to address the root causes of violence and discrimination faced by sex workers.
One participant said, “The years of work have left their marks on my body. The massage helped me relax and realise how tense I was. For the first time in a long time, I felt cherished and cared for.” This experience demonstrates the power of collective care and healing in empowering survivors of violence and promoting social justice.”
