We witnessed the adaptability of AWBW’s worksheets during our third workshop with women at Atteridgeville Gender Responsive Centre. We planned to facilitate a “Positive Piggies” workshop, inviting participants to consider and acknowledge their positive attributes. A few minutes into our gathering, we learned that the women had just been notified that this year’s Family Day had been cancelled — no reason provided. The women were angry, sad, and disappointed — the mood in the room was sombre. Their hopes were crushed. “I was looking forward to seeing my daughter,” said Andiswa*. They struggled to reconcile the Department of Correctional Services’ mandate to rehabilitate with the cruel treatment metered out to them. “My rights have been violated,” continued Andiswa, with a sense of resignation in her voice.
After an emotional debriefing process, it felt right to change the workshop from “Positive Piggies” to a “Container of Overwhelming Feelings,” inviting the women to honour their feelings, however difficult. Thanks to a suggestion from one of the participants, we realised that the template for “Positive Piggies” can be easily adapted for a “Container…” workshop. We had a successful workshop, with women sharing that: “I am fuming,” “I feel like crying,” and more metaphoric, “I feel like I just ate acid for breakfast, I am burning.”
We left with mixed emotions. While glad we were able to contain and sit with the women in their pain, we felt an overruling sadness, navigating such an unjust system.
*Name changed to protect confidentiality
