Photovoice and Street Dramas: Involvement of Trafficking Survivors Living with HIV in Educational and Advocacy Campaigns
Rita Dhungel, PhD, BL, BSW, RSW | September 23 | 1:30-2:30 PM
Topic: Research, Art | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Many qualitative and quantitative approaches have been used to explore the experiences of trafficking survivors for sexual exploitation, living with HIV, in Nepal. However, the more participatory aspects of social justice research, such as inviting (and concretely supporting) the women to become more involved in precisely and intentionally advocating for their rights are still marginal. Therefore, this research was initiated to promote transformative outcomes, through photovoice and street dramas, in collaboration with survivors living with HIV in Nepal. Photovoice is a process in which people – usually those with limited power due to poverty, language barriers, race, class, ethnicity, gender, culture, or other circumstances – use video and/or photo images to capture aspects of their environment and experiences and share them with others. The session begins with an overview of the study process followed by a brief examination of the challenges the survivors living with HIV experience from intersectionality lenses. Then, the study highlights the multi-faceted power and strength of survivors in educating the general public and political leaders to this social issue through photovoice and street dramas. This session concludes with a brief video clip and the invitation to scholars for their involvement in future collaborative research. Overall, this session provides participants with an opportunity to consider and contextualize the broader social problem in a democratic and inclusive manner, and will encourage participation through discussion and critical dialogues.
Presentation Objectives:
· Provide a brief overview of how photovoice as advocacy and empowerment tool was used
· Discuss the challenges experienced by trafficking survivors living with HIV
· Share a brief video of street dramas
· Invite researchers and practitioners for future collaborative research