A special message from FRIDA Advocacy Officer, Ledys Sanjuan
How did the holidays shape up for you? I know you’re still coming out of vacation time, which is why I thought of inspiring you today with a special message!
Recently, I had the privilege to meet and be part of a series of workshops organized by a feminist collective Gordas Sin Chaqueta (loosely translated as “Fat women without jackets”) in Bogota, Colombia. This collective is one of the three FRIDA grantee partners in Colombia, and I want to share my experience because I believe that the work they do is absolutely essential for young feminists in Latin America and beyond.
Women all over the world face the pressure of looking a specific way in order to be desirable. Our bodies are battlegrounds of corporations, governments, and patriarchal men. This “desirability” affects our employment, social status, even how we see ourselves. Gordas Sin Chaqueta aims at healing from societal expectations of perfection and empowering ourselves to love our bodies and each other, no matter what.
At this colectiva, the slogan is “we are stronger in the pack than we are alone” and I never knew that to be so true. In the company, of over twenty women of all shapes and sizes, we began a journey of healing, community and mutual love. We used art, games, exercises, music and dance to get in touch with our bodies, heal from the trauma, and move from victimhood to powerful young feminist identities.
Without a doubt, being part of these workshops, has been one of the most inspiring things I did in the whole year. Not only do I feel confident with my body because I have healed, but I am also stronger today because now I have a pack of young feminists who have my back.
I am incredibly proud and lucky to be associated with FRIDA–an organisation that supports young feminist groups like Gordas Sin Chaqueta. Youngfems are deploying new strategies and tackling issues that are often invisibilized and overlooked. This is the kind of feminism built from love, care and mutual trust, and I invite you to join us.
I have full faith in FRIDA creating a real impact in young feminist organizing. Because I have seen it happen.
Will you join me in supporting FRIDA? Start the new year by making a contribution to young feminist resistance. This is our year!
Wishing you a fabulous 2018!
Ledys Sanjuan
FRIDA Advocacy Officer
All pictures © Colectiva Feminista Gordas Sin Chaqueta, Colombia
