A discussion on the role of art and activism in creating social change in South Asia, led by key individuals who negotiate the complexities, impact and risks on a daily basis through their work.

Freedom of expression is under attack in South Asia. In Bangladesh bloggers, academics and members of minority communities have been targeted and killed for their writing.

In Pakistan the year started with five bloggers being ‘disappeared’ for almost a month because of their views on social media, while journalists and media workers continue to be threatened, attacked, and killed.

In Sri Lanka artists interrogate the state’s narrative of the past and explore tensions in a society in transition.

Despite the very real risks, people continue to make their voices heard. Blogs, comic books, cartoons, theatre, films, music, poetry – these are just a few tools which are being used to address a range of issues from enforced disappearances, judicial corruption, rape in war, violence against women, and police torture.

Using these different media opens up new ways of approaching these topics; engaging audiences; and critiquing events.

Speakers include:

Onjali Raúf (Bangladesh)

Onjali is founder and CEO of Making Herstory – an organisation working to mobilise ordinary people and bridge the gaps between existing services to end the abuse, enslavement and trafficking of women and girls in the UK and beyond. Formerly the campaigns manager for Women for Women International UK and the Assistant Editor for global publication emel Magazine, she was shortlisted for the Care2Impact and Emma Humphreys Memorial Awards in 2014 for her works in the women’s rights sector.

Pranika Koyu (Nepal)

Pranika Koyu is a human rights activist focusing on the rights of women, people with disabilities, migrant workers, and indigenous peoples. She worked with the country offices of UNESCO and UN-OHCHR (UN-Human Rights office) in Nepal from 2005 to 2012. She is also a founding member of CHAUKATH: a network of young feminists in Nepal aiming to create a space to examine society, culture, politics, religion, media and literature through feminist lens. 

Vasuki Jeyasankar – Kamala Vasuki (Sri Lanka)

Vasuki is a feminist activist and artist from the north of Sri Lanka and living in the East for the past 22 years. She has been part of women’s organisations and networks who are actively claiming the rights of women in the conflict and tsunami affected areas of Sri Lanka.