A Listening Circle on sexual harassment was facilitated by Neha Dixit. The idea was conceptualised because NWMI has recognised the trauma that such experiences and environments create. The first step was simply to listen to one another, in person.
It was an attempt to create a safe healing space where all members could speak without judgement, listen to one another, hold hands and vent. It was a two-hour-long moderated session that offered a space to speak openly and freely.
The goals of the session were to:
- Help the NMWI community heal: Recognized the harm that many members experienced, NWMI hoped to work together to repair that harm and strengthen the community.
- Listen: It was a space for members to speak about their experiences and to listen to one another. The aim was to hear everyone’s ideas so that the members could support one another better.
- Share information, resources, and support: NWMI wanted to hear what it was that members needed to feel supported. Participants also shared their expectations from such a circle and the NWMI community in the future.
The following guidelines were communicated in several languages:
- We invite you to be as honest as you need to be. At the same time, we ask that you remain respectful of the feelings of the people present in the meeting.
- Please be mindful of the time you take. While there should never be a time limit when one is trying to express hurt and discomfort, we would like everyone to have a chance and since time is limited, it would be good to share!
- We hope to be able to make the space open and free. This can only happen if all of us leave our judgements behind.
- Please feel free to speak in any language that you are comfortable with. We are certain we will all find a way to translate and understand each other.
- We want this to be a pleasant experience for all of us. And yet, sometimes we can all say or do things that can make others uncomfortable. We ask everyone to be aware of this and refrain from using classist/ casteist/sexist language. Some of us also know each other well and find it easier to connect in groups. This may make it easier for some of us to talk, but we must bear in mind to make space.
- Let’s find ways to listen. The flow of conversation becomes difficult… we might land up speaking over each other or cutting each other off if we are not mindful. We ask everyone to find patience and try to avoid overlaps.
- It is totally okay for you not to say anything during the chat and listen in. Silences are valuable… small pockets of reflection in between!
- This is a private space. We ask that nothing that is shared in this session is carried outside to anyone else. As we know that trust is a powerful, yet delicate thing… one that we must preserve with utmost care.
- We take no photos and make no videos. We request this be a no-gadget space and ask that you keep your phone on silent for these two hours. It will help all to just be present in the conversation.
- Do not discuss the details of individual incidents and/or cases that you hear in this session without explicit consent.
- If anyone becomes disruptive, they will receive a warning from the moderator.
- It might be late in the day for some of you. In order to maintain solidarity and respect everyone’s voice, we ask that we all stay till the very end and support each other.
The session was attended by 73 members who shared their experiences of facing sexual harassment at the workplace and the complexities of it. Many members also shared the need to think of ways of resolution and how best to support each other outside the formal systems considering many NWMI members work as freelancers. Some members also talked about the limited understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment. The session was roughly three hours long and concluded with everyone hugging without any comments, judgements or suggestions to those who shared their experiences, in the true spirit of listening to each other.