We would like to thank "La Dépêche du Midi Tarn-et-Garonne" and especially Géraldine Jammet for her article published in the newspaper. Below is the link to the article as well as the entire text.
Official article in french : https://www.ladepeche.fr/2024/03/10/video-tarn-et-garonne-le-realisateur-feministe-pierre-jean-fasan-de-retour-a-montauban-11813360.php
Committed videographer, Pierre-Jean Fasan from Montauban participated in his own way in the International Women's Rights Day. It was an opportunity for this outspoken feminist, who works for the NGO RWAMREC, to discuss his latest project on teenage mothers in Rwanda.
Engaged videographer, Pierre-Jean Fasan from Montauban, contributed in his own way to International Women's Rights Day. This was an opportunity for this outspoken feminist, who works for the NGO RWAMREC, to discuss his latest project on teenage mothers in Rwanda.
During the Olympe de Gouges days, which celebrate women's rights, Montalbanais Pierre-Jean Fasan made a stop in his beloved city of Ingres. He defines himself as an "engaged videographer" in the fight against gender-based violence and has been working since 2019 for the non-governmental organization (NGO) Rwanda Men's Resource Centre (RWAMREC), which advocates for values around "positive masculinity".
Following work carried out this winter at the youth center, Pierre-Jean Fasan and members of the Grand Montauban local youth council produced three short films about women who have left their mark on history: Aliénor d'Aquitaine, Gisèle Halimi, and Sophie Adenot. These humorous and offbeat portraits are continuously screened until March 16th at the former college, the Olympe-de-Gouges theater, the Maison du Crieur, the conservatory, the Mémo, and the Ingres Bourdelle museum.
"The young people wrote all the texts themselves. I showed them my work, and after two videos, they understood my philosophy. They watched my documentary about teenage mothers in Rwanda because I wanted them to better understand what positive communication can be," explains the former music teacher, who produced this 15-minute video available on YouTube. It's the result of a year's worth of work.
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON FEMINISM
After receiving funding from the International Organization of La Francophonie, RWAMREC has come to the aid of all these teenage girls who become mothers before reaching adulthood. The consequences: they drop out of school - which is mandatory in Rwanda - are expelled from their family homes, and are widely stigmatized. And isolated. Many of them develop serious mental health problems. "After giving birth, we are worth nothing anymore," explains Esther. Approximately 5% of young Rwandan women are affected by this phenomenon.
In the district of Huye, local authorities have therefore requested RWAMREC to train 60 teenage mothers on parenting, sexuality, or health. Subsequently, based on their life projects, all of them participated in empowerment and entrepreneurship sessions. As a result, they received a sum of money and a smartphone to facilitate their reintegration into active life. Essential prerequisites for participation: to come with a father, a brother, or a relative so that Rwandan men are also sensitized to the issues of gender-based violence. Or how to address the problem at its root.
"In terms of results, it's not 100%, but we see girls who find a home, a job, and it's great," says Pierre-Jean Fasan. "Through my travels, I also understand that abroad, we don't have the same definition of feminism at all. A feminist man is someone who stands against gender-based violence by promoting well-being, mutual aid, empathy, and positive communication. This is how all major associations and NGOs think."
RWAMREC DIRECTLY ENGAGES WITH LEGISLATORS.
Engaging with Pierre-Jean Fasan is first and foremost about taking a big breath of "positive attitude." He has no regrets about his commitment to RWAMREC. Admiring the founder of the Rwandan NGO, Fidel Rutayisire, Pierre-Jean Fasan also appreciates collaborating with Gary Baker, founder of Equimundo, a global agency advocating for gender equality.
"In Rwanda, which experienced genocide in 1994, they understood that if power between men and women was balanced, it would guarantee the stability of this country in reconstruction," observes Pierre-Jean Fasan, noting that 61% of Rwandan parliamentarians are female. Collaboration with RWAMREC, which employs 52 people, is becoming increasingly close.
"When the officials saw our video on paternity leave, they voted for an extension with parenting training. Working like this with municipalities and the government to stem male violence, I find it fantastic. RWAMREC focuses on several aspects of society, and thanks to this holistic approach, it succeeds."
Commentaires