Combatting GBV in Ritchie: Join the Write to Rise workshop

Residents of Ritchie can prepare to use the pen to combat the high levels of gender-based violence (GBV), unemployment, and social inequality affecting the community.

On Saturday 21 February from 09:00 to 16:00, a total of 36 residents will have the opportunity to gather for the Write to Rise creative writing workshop. The project is founded and led by award-winning, two-time published author Godwin Taweni, who is also a motivational speaker and hails from Richie.

“This is not just an art project; it is a direct intervention. It uses storytelling as a tool for our people to finally put into words the things they witness but often don’t know how to speak out against. We believe that when a community learns to write its own story, it gains the power to change its future,” says Taweni.

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The participants will include women, youth, and people with disabilities.

For many in Ritchie, GBV is a daily reality that is hard to talk about. This project will teach residents how to use “words as witness” to document their experiences.

Working with She-Art Motion, a non-profit organisation (NPO) focusing on arts-based empowerment, Taweni is volunteering his skills to help participants turn their memories into poetry, essays, and stories that advocate for change.

Not only will these “words as witness” document personal narratives, but it will also amplify silenced voices regarding social ills. Raw documentation will be polished into impactful pieces.

“The goal is to show that every person’s memory is a testament to resilience,” says the project team.

By the end of the programme, these 36 voices will be brought together in a printed book, the Write to Rise anthology, giving the community a permanent platform to be heard. The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) assisted with essential funding.

• Those interested in attending the workshop can contact Taweni on WhatsApp on 084 670 1070, or send a message and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.