2.7 Addressing Structural Violence

Learning Objectives:

• To increase understanding of structural violence, oppression and social inequities
• To critically reflect on the effects of structural violence on our lived experiences
• To promote collective empowerment through sharing of lived experiences and strategies to address structure violence.

Materials: Laptop, Video – Structural Violence, Flipchart with heading of exclusion circle scenarios, Markers, Masking Tape

Time Required: 15 minutes

Activities & Instructions

Set-up:

Arrange all the chairs in a large circle and ensure that there is sufficient space in the centre for participants to move around and interact safely and comfortably; also to have sufficient space for participants to stand at the assigned stations outside of the circle (see Facilitator’s Guide 2.6.1 for space arrangement).

Instructions to Participants

1. Presentation on Structural Violence

• Facilitator says, “Now, we would like to show you a video – webinar – on structural violence. Some of you may or may not have heard the term structural violence. It is a term to highlight that oppressions and social injustices are a form of violence. The video will introduce this topic. After we watch the video, we will engage in an interactive activity.”

2. Critical Dialogue and Debriefing

• After showing the video, engage the participants in a critical dialogue in a popcorn style. Co-facilitator takes notes on the discussion on flipchart.
• Facilitator asks, “Does anyone have any questions about structural violence or other concepts covered in the ppt/ video?”
• After addressing the participants’ questions and issues raised, Facilitator displays flipchart with 3 columns with headings of:
  (1) Exclusion Circle scenarios; (2) Underlying Structural Violence; and, (3) Possible Action/Responses.
• Facilitator says, “Now Let us revisit the scenarios we went through in the last activity – the Exclusion Circle Game. Let us look at what are some of the underlying structural violence connected to the case scenarios.”
• Facilitator starts with one of the scenarios in the exclusion circle game, and invited participants to discuss the following questions in popcorn style:
  • “What contributes to or reinforces the structural violence in this case?”
  • “What can we do, or how can we take action to respond to the structural violence?”
• After leading the group through critical dialogue on one of the exclusion circle case scenarios, facilitator will repeat the above exercise with at least two other scenarios, and more scenarios if time permits.

Key Summary Points

• Structural oppression is so powerful because it is not visible and often regarded as an “accepted societal norm” and is “institutionalized”. This makes the people who are victimized feel like the unfair treatments they experienced are normal, justified or to be expected, or that it is their own faults that they are suffering. It is therefore very important for us to recognize the underlying structural oppression and injustice and not to internalize it as self-blame.
• As seen from the experiences amongst ourselves, we all have “fire within us” and diverse resilient strategies to deal with structural violence. In some instances, focusing on safety and self-care can be the most appropriate strategy and we do not need to feel that we always have to fight oppression head-on.
• It often takes time and multiple strategies to overcome structural violence. Even when we take action but do not get the result we had hoped for, it is okay and does not mean we have failed.
• This is why it is important to work with others when trying to address structural oppression/discrimination. We can support and comfort one another, and together we will have a higher chance of success in overcoming some of these structural oppressions and making positive social changes.