Projects to share stories about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the roles of women.
Projects to share stories about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the roles of women.
After spending two years in the throes of the pandemic, the statistics are astounding- women have been returned to roles they thought had disappeared into history, despite the modern world that still surrounds them.
Kitchen Feminism is a series of projects that were inspired by the article “The Coronovirus is a Disaster for Feminism” by Helen Lewis, published in The Atlantic on March 19, 2020. In it, Ms. Lewis speaks of how “a pandemic magnifies all existing inequalities” and women are bearing the brunt of childcare and home responsibilities, effectively removing them, once again, from the freedom to create and contribute in society in the ways they desire.
In the UN Secretary-General’s April 2020 policy brief, “The impact of COVID-19 on women,” it states: “The year 2020, marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, was intended to be ground-breaking for gender equality. Instead, with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, even the limited gains made in the past decades are at risk of being rolled back. The pandemic is deepening pre-existing inequalities, exposing vulnerabilities in social, political and economic systems which are in turn amplifying the impacts of the pandemic. Across every sphere, from health to the economy, security to social protection, the impacts of COVID-19 are exacerbated for women and girls simply by virtue of their sex.”
Kitchen Feminism aims to contribute to the conversation around gender norms and expectations during a global pandemic by bringing women together in a supportive community that explores their stories through the use of photo, video and theatrical techniques. The stories are shared in the hopes of creating conversation and awareness leading to greater empathy and connection.
If you would like to be a part of the upcoming project entitle "Moving Pictures" please scroll down to the application link below.
Dawn van de Schoot is a performer who has been working in film, television, theatre and voice performance for the past 30 years. She has worked as an actor, director, playwright and screenwriter as well an acting teacher and coach. In 2001 Dawn obtained her MFA in Theatre Studies, specializing in new play creation. Using this foundational knowledge, Dawn began using theatre, and then branching into other art forms, in order to explore the relationship between art making and building stronger communities and individuals. This led her into the realm of public art where she has worked in Community Cultural Development and Social Practice for the last two decades running large scale arts-based community development projects city-wide. She lives in Calgary, Alberta with her partner and two children.
Shannon Smith is the owner/photographer of "Artist Shannon Smith" specializing in body liberation/positivity and female empowerment through boudoir and portrait imagery. Shannon believes that every woman deserves to be captured and to show up in history, to see herself from a new point of view, and to reignite the flames that often go out in our daily life. With over 4 years in business, Shannon has built a reputation for supporting women through a caring atmosphere to regain confidence, self esteem, and heal with body image. She has been published in Bride Magazine, Elite Daily and more.