How do we develop agency and awareness of our own presence?
What stays with us?
we want to be safe, not brave in the streets
// arts based research
“We want to be safe, not brave in the streets” is a slogan painted on the walls of Athens.
Sometimes it appears torn apart from layers of paint; other times it is freshly repainted. Yet each time I see it, I feel it as a reminder of where I stand and where I am heading. It gives me strength, and at times, hope.
This arts based research focuses on people’s healing processes in relation to gender-based violence events in the public space. In addition, the project aims to develop practices that help affected people reclaim presence in public spaces.
To reclaim public space, I believe it is essential to develop different knowledge systems and vocabularies that allow us to make sense of what we have experienced and how we have learned to navigate it. The methodology guiding this research includes mapping, storytelling and narration, and Participatory Action Research (PAR). My theoretical framework draws inspiration from feminist geographies, trauma and resilience practices, healing practices, decolonizing theories, and critical pedagogies.
I began this research in the Netherlands, where I co-organized and co-facilitated two workshops exploring the feeling of safety in public space and how art methods can support healing. The workshops took place in Utrecht in January and February 2026. Their titles were: “Masks of Anger & Reclaiming Space” with Danique Waarle, and “Safe(r) Bodies: A space for FLINTA+ to explore embodied practices of safety and agency in public spaces” with Clem Mondot and Kai Hazelwood.
In the second phase, I continued the research in Tangier, Morocco. There, I organized and facilitated mapping and embroidery workshops, which took place at Darna’s Women’s House.
Across these two phases—shaped by distinct cultural and social contexts—I tried to understand how artistic practices can contribute to healing for people affected by gender-based violence in public spaces. I observed both similarities and differences in the outcomes of the workshops. I also created the booklet, “What Makes Us Women?”, aiming to connect these experiences and, through that connection, raise awareness of GBV in public spaces.
This research was made possible with the support of:
Consultation and tutoring: Sabina Mikelic
Proof reading: Berend Bombarius, Dana Wait
With the contributions of: Association Darna (Tangier)
Clem Mondot, Danique Waarle, Habiba Bouzerda
Hajar Wardy, Hanae Seddiki, Houda Boudkik
Imane Ouazni, Kai Hazelwood, Malika Chentouf
participants of the workshops (anonymised)
The zine printing shop at the Cinematheque Rif
The project concludes a three-month artisteducator residency in Tangier, carried out within the framework of the International Master Artisteducator (iMAE) program at ArtEZ University of the Arts, in collaboration with the Darna Association (Tangier), and supported by the educational, research, and dissemination activities of the UNESCO Chair’s Centre for Arts and Learning (UCAL).