To facilitate critical analysis about shifts in ‘power within and power to’ with a focus on sensitive subjects such as sexual autonomy and women’s control over their bodies. The tool aims to help women explore the different elements of power related to their bodies, both the personal and emotional dimensions of ‘power within’ and their agency to take action to control their bodies of ‘power to’.
- Power within: self-worth, self-confidence, inner strength, sense of identity, dignity, etc.
- Power to: ability to act, to control, potential to make a difference and shape lives, capacity to decide action and carry them out.
This participatory tool enables interactive discussions and visualisation of changes in knowledge, skills, attitudes, self-confidence, practices, and ability to negotiate and control decisions. Using the body map supports conscientisation of those who are involved which makes it a motivating and politicising experience.
While using the body map methodology, participants are likely to feel more comfortable in groups of single sexual/gender orientation, and with others of a similar age or marital status, etc. and in locations with some privacy. While facilitating this tool, we need to be prepared that body maps may raise traumatic memories for some participants – for example, people who have been abused or suffered violence and in these cases sensitivity towards participants must be the facilitator’s primary concern.