Empowering Voices: Women ARTivism Unveils the Transformative Power of Art and Activism in the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

Art is a powerful catalyst got change, and women around the world have harnessed its transformative potential to amplify their voices as activists. Through painting, poetry, music, and more, women have painted portraits of resilience, sung anthems of empowerment, and sculpted narratives of equality. Women in ARTivism isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s a bold declaration of rights, a mirror reflecting the strength and spirit of women. It transcends borders, cultures, and languages, inspiring movements and shaping societies. Support women using art as a force for change. Untile the violence stops, our expressions continue.

Women ARTvism highlights concerns, issues Zonta Club of Cebu II shares women’s universal stance on various gender issues through different types of stage arts to commemorate the 18 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

Women ARTivism (Art+Activism) is described as an artistic uprising - a celebration of the beauty and strength  of empowered women through a mix of art and activism. The entire production was adopted by Abay sa Kahayag committee of Zonta Cebu II, as a major activity in the calendar of the 18 Days.  The stage was the lawn in Oakridge Garden Plaza, at sunset, on November 26, 2023.

Zn. Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, chair of Women ARTivism 2023, explained that the production uses the power  of performing arts to convey  messages about the advocacies. The performances could be. a song, a dance, a poem or a monologue, which I can amplify the voices of women.

“The performing arts can call for transformational changes among the  audience”, Ms. Enclona-Henderson said.

We’d like those attending (the Women o ARTivism) to pick out the different advocacies that we have,” she added. “Women who want to share their advocacies need not go to the streets. They can use their art to send a message.”

The concerns include climate change, women empowerment, gender-based violence, and life as an activist, among others,

There were three monologues – Ang Rebolusyon Nagpuyo sa Akong Lawas by Riza Binarao, Ami Lavadia and Richel Ann Basiga, Woman by Sheng Pestaňo Gemperoa, and Movie Stars by Charlene Virlouvet. Ms. Virlouvet explained that Movie Stars highlights the effects of climate change.

Zn. Chona Tremedal & Zn. Marilou Cañizares, Zn Flor Miel, Zn Mildred Simolde, Zn Hazel Espina, and Zn Betty Veloso performed Say Her Name A Tribute to Female Performing Artists who Fought for Women’s Rights. The 2TinCans Theatre Company did a dramatic reading of Trafficking.

Apple Abarquez performed the Fight Song while Mikee Amagsila, Richel Basiga, and Davelyn Cuenco delivered two songs, Stand Up For Love and the Strong Women Anthem – Power/Born This Way/Edge of Glory mashup.

The audience also witnessed a short play, "Mga Misteryo sa Kinabuhi ni Maria” while the University of the Philippines Sayaw Evolution performed Babayeng Mag-uuma, Pangunahing Pwersa, a contemporary dance revolution against land industrialization and militarization.

Zn Enclona-Henderson explained that the human trafficking piece is based on real-life stories from interviews of trafficking survivors in Cebu.

The goal is that through the different stage art forms, the message pierces  the hearts, and that the emotions of the audience start flowing  to create empathy  and  commitment to help STOP THE VIOLENCE!!