Marae — a women protection program focused on spreading awareness about women’s rights
In 1790, a group Englishmen, Tahitian men & women settled on the Pitcairn Island. Gradually, tensions & rivalries arose because the Europeans regarded the Tahitians as their property, in particular the women who were “passed around from one husband to the other”. This culminated in 1979 with a large massacre that left only John Adams & a couple of women & children. The remoteness of the island shielded the tiny population from outside scrutiny. In 2004, there were 55 charges relating to sexual offences against children. All but one of the defendants were found guilty.
The primary goal of the project was to establish a powerful identity that represents support & advocates for women who have experienced violence, in order to bring attention to subjects that are often ignored & considered taboo in many societies. Marae is a sacred space in Polynesian societies that serves both religious & social functions. It is a vital gathering place for the community, used for spiritual rituals, honoring deities & ancestors, & important community gatherings.
