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I am Vilma Meniki, a second grade teacher and an activist in the women's movement for decades. As a teacher, I have been applying feminist pedagogy to address sexism in schools and school mediation to prevent school violence, for the past 21 years.
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Highlights (1985 – today): articles on gender equality, research, school projects, educational materials and screenings during thematic weeks in schools from 2015 - 2018, training of teachers and students on gender discrimination and dealing with domestic violence, creating videos on racism and human rights, archiving interactive and experiential exercises on gender equality and diversity acceptance.
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In 2019, I directed “My Katines”, a documentary about the history of the Autonomous Women's Group of Thessaloniki (1985-1995). It has been screened 30 times so far, mostly in Greece, at various festivals, women's organizations and universities.
I am currently working on the documentary “Herstories: my roots…”, a film that narrates the story of 6 women who gave themselves “the kiss of life” and emerged stronger from difficult situations. It will be completed in the fall of 2022.
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I use the principles of the feminist documentary in my work, as a means of projecting non-stereotypical perceptions of women and as a tool to highlight practices for gender equality.
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In 2021, we started Anthropo, a group that mainly consists of women teachers, with the aim of creating an educational suitcase with tools, educational materials on gender equality and identity. We hope this suitcase will travel to a lot of different places… In this context, we created the Oral History Group of Women Teachers, after training by Tasoula Verveniotis, a distinguished historian and oral history specialist.
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My aim is to highlight invisible stories and personalities of women from different backgrounds, with diverse profiles. Women's emotions, actions and practices that promote an inclusive society. Underground, unseen, slowly and steadily subverting millennia of dominant power patterns. I want to give these voices the space and time they need to be heard.
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Videos co-created with my students (2011-2014):
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA0emCbuzek (Racism in Schools 2011-2012)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOkB16ytUlU (Violence in Schools 2012-2013)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_UKhbYzahw (Bullying 2012-2013)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgZ-FG20s6c (Human Rights 2012- 2013)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn0eS2KYn1E (Bullying 2013-2014)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN9-_rbvdfg (Bullying 2013-2014)
A Lifo Podcast about Anthropo and the documentary “Herstories: my roots…” https://www.lifo.gr/podcasts/ampa/istories-aposiopimenon-gynaikon
Vilma Meniki
Secondary School Teacher
MA in Special Education
Trainer in School Mediation (www.kede.org)
Certified Adult Educator EOPPEP
Gender Activist and Researcher
Email: vilmaart@yahoo.gr
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