Soroptimist International aims to transform the lives of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities. The network works towards supporting women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.
Starting on 25 November, the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence continues to be used as a strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
As part of the campaign, Kirklees College Creative Industries department has worked in partnership with the Dewsbury branch of Soroptimist International to respond to a live brief and raise awareness amongst the community.
The level 3/4 Art, Design and Media Practice students have created their own responses to the brief based around the women’s movement to incite meaningful conversations about gender equality.
Working with Pam Thornes, Programme Action, Linda Davis and Marilyn Shaw at Soroptimist International, the college plans to support the organisation further with level 3, year one students creating work for an exhibition in celebration of International Women’s Day on display on 8 March at Pioneer Higher Skills Centre in Dewsbury.
Grace Clifford, Art and Design Lecturer at Kirklees College said:
“The creative brief set by Soroptimist’s Dewsbury has been a really interesting and challenging experience. The project has allowed students to be introduced to the annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign, with the focus this year being on increasing awareness around violence against women. All students involved have worked really well to produce thoughtful visual work to highlight the campaign”.
For more information about Art and Design courses at Kirklees College, visit https://www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/subjects/art-and-design/.