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Women Circles, Solidarity Circles

WOMEN CIRCLES
 A communal approach to fostering relationships for movement building

 

Background

LocNet started hosting women circles as soon as the LocNet initiative was launched at the very first inception meeting that took place in Nairobi in 2019. Back then one woman of each of the CN which was part of the LocNet initiative were present. In order for all of us women team members and women in CNs to get to know one another, we held three different women circles on three different evenings.

The circles from the get go felt like intimate spaces for the women in the room to connect through the curiosity and respect we had for one another. The circles were also spaces where the women used as part of their reflection on their experiences for what it is like to be a woman in the CN ecosystem. You can read more about the first circles here
 https://www.apc.org/en/blog/community-networks-and-women-circles-gift-being-togetherness

That same year, some LocNet team members hosted their own circles at events they either curated or participated in. The circles also inspired the CNs that LocNet supported to create their own methodologies for gender work that either integrated women circles or that build around women circles.

The intention has always been primarily for all of us to get to know one another in order to start building supportive relationships built on respect and trust. However, circles do not only stop there. They inform and have inspired us to find ways to harness our creative knowledge and capacity building endeavors. For instance the Infrastructure of Care and the Environment event which took place in LAC in 2023 was inspired by a women circle that took place in a LAC LocNet gathering in Colombia in 2022.

As LocNet enters its fifth year, we still believe in the power of circles in building relationships for the sustainability of community centered connectivity.

And as we enter this new strategic cycle, and with the country focus approach that LocNet has chosen, we find that women circles can continue to be a valuable methodology that has the potential to support the well-being of women, enhance their self-confidence, anchor their belonging and reclaim their space and power. 

 

A circle does not have a starting point

This document will support the work of the GRCs in conducting women circles in the CTTs and other spaces where there is an opportunity to engage with women who work in CCCs.

Women circles do not rely on a specific ‘methodology’ per say. Circles are in essence organic ways for women to gather in a safe space specifically dedicated for them to be together. This document will support our work in articulating the intention and the manner with which circles will be conducted as part of the LocNet initiative.

The circle described in this document server primarily for relationship building 

 

How to think of a circle

In order for a circle to be successful, the one holding space needs to make sure everyone in the circle feels welcomed. They also need to share the intent of the circle and the intent of the invitation. It is very important for a circle to be “desired” by the people who will be participating in it, that is why if the energy is low or if the overall atmosphere is not conducive for an exchange, it is best to postpone or not hold a circle.

So before holding the circle, ask yourself “do I have enough energy to hold space for others?” “am I in a good enough mental and emotional state to support others in case a sensitive issue gets brought out?” “is there a person on the team who can support me in case i need it?” “do i feel confident enough to hold space for others” etc.

Let us think of circles as containers which need to be vast and deep enough to contain the multitude of realities that the women will bring with them into the space. We do not want to invite women to spaces where women will feel like they are too much or that they do not belong.

That is why we will in LocNet lead with that spirit of ‘being in connection’. People can choose to show up to the circle to listen and not to share, and that is totally okay. They are there for a reason, listening is an important part of space holding.

It is also highly important to establish privacy and trust by making the circle a sacred space of shared information. People in the circle need to come to an agreement not to share what someone else said unless they get the consent of that person. We aim for these spaces to be private and build on mutual trust and understanding.

The trust factor is one of the most important factors that can support the establishment and consolidation of trusted relationships we are hoping to support.

 

What are some of the topics that a circle can hold

Circles are not focus discussion groups. They are not meant to be a space for research or extraction of information. They are primarily guided by the needs of the community/group and mainly serve to reinforce human relationships and to build and foster trust. Circles have taken place in communities organically over centuries. They are usually informal and happen in a trusted place, with people we feel at ease with.

We will aim for the circles of 2024 to serve as a space where women can build trusted relationships with one another. Where they can connect and seeks to understand the realities that women are facing in their communities and in the CCCs. There will be more about this in the section below entitled “contextualizing circles”.

Some people might feel that the circle will be a suitable space for them to rant or to share personal issues or problems that they are going through. As a space holder, you will need to set the right boundaries for how to, with kindness, redirect the conversation back to the group. You can always mention to the person that you will follow-up with them one-on-one if needed. It is important for this not to feel abrupt or disrespectful but is also OK for you as a facilitator to be “guiding” the discussion back onto its intended course.
 

What happens when a circle is done
A report of these realities will be shared by the GRC to the gender lead highlighting the big "aha" moments of learning. This information will support the guidance of integration of gender in a focus country and point out things we might need to shift or change moving forward. The report will also highlight what worked well and what did not work so well in the circle.

It is important for us not to be “top down” as we invite people for circles.

The women will be given the opportunity to participate and voice their needs, their realities. To be seen and heard by their peers.

Are women circles a practice in your contexts? if not, what is the term used or what is an alternative for gathering together and sharing?

 

Contextualizing and Localizing Circles

This paragraph goes over some of the essential questions to ask oneself ahead of calling for a circle.

  • What is the event that is bringing the women together in a circle?

  • Is there anything particular that needs to be acknowledged at this date and time?

  • Is there a specific aspect of the women’s experience that we wish to explore together in every context?

  • What will we need to know about the context?

  • What are conversations that are sensitive that need to be avoided or contained?

  • What are conflict mitigation skills needed in case tension arises?

 

Questions to answer when planning a circle:

  1. Who will be invited to the circles?

  2. Where will the circle be held?

  3. When will the circle be held?

  4. Is there a focus for the circle? Was it communicated with the women before they joined?

  5. Who is the facilitator? Is it someone from the community? From the country? From the region?

  6. Are there specific interpersonal dynamics that we are aware of and that might affect a circle’s dynamic? If so, is there any way we can address this to bring harmony and resolution?

 

General Circle Ideas

  • A circle as a space for connection and building relationships across the region

  • Connecting over our lived realities in these times

  • What is it like to work in a CCC?

  • What is the impact of CCCs on our lives?

 

A Note on the circle ideas

The circles we are thinking about will help us guide a deeper understanding of the layer of complexities of a woman’s interaction with CCCs. For instance, the circle can be held to deepen relationships between women who are part of different CCCs in a given country. It can also be held to understand better the realities of women in a given community that has or is thinking of holding a CCC. We will notice that the dynamics in these circles will be quite different.

In some instances, women at a certain event, such as a policy event can also decide to hold a circle to discuss certain issues they are facing in their specific ecosystem.

The person facilitating the circle will then have the freedom to qualify the circle as they wish. For instance some names can be women circles, solidarity circles, creative circles, policy circles, etc.

 

When possible some people can make small hand written letters to invite participants into a circle. You can be as creative as you want! <3

 

  1. Principles for creating a more welcoming circle container
         Points to keep in mind when holding circles.
     

  • Communicate with those who are gathered that the intention is to build a safe and private space.

  • What is shared in the circle stays in the circle.

  • Acknowledge cultural differences which might create tension or conflict. It is best to acknowledge it from the beginning as this usually eases the tension and people will not take things personally.

  • Remind people to be respectful, caring and kind when sharing and when listening.

  • As a facilitator, you will need to be as attentive and mindful as you can of the different dynamics that are being played out.

  • Remember to create an open space for dialogue rooted in compassion and kindness.

  • Be mindful to be more inclusive of people who are not so outgoing and take a little longer to express themselves. They might need more space or even some encouragement. However some people would just like to listen to what is being said and not speak up. That is also ok.

  • Every opinion is valid.

  • Make sure everyone is aware that it is important to respect time to speak and listen.

  • What does the group need to be comfortable?  When in doubt, ask the people. You can also ask if someone has any specific need ahead or at the start of the circle.

  • Be mindful of sensitive topics. Always give a heads up when approaching such subjects.

  • Be aware of concerns and considerations for certain contexts.


 
 Consent

  • Ask for permission to share images, quotes or stories that are captured during the circle.

  • If you share something outside of the circle, attribute the idea to the person who shared it.

  • Respect the fact that some people would want to keep what they shared private and anonymous and off record.

  • If the GRC wishes to bring some elements of the discussions back to the gender team at LocNet they will ask for permission of the participants before doing so.

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