Empowering Women Affected by Localizations in Surabaya through Photovoice: A Visual Journey of Resilience and Strength

The closure of the Dolly red-light district eight years ago did not eradicate the stigma attached to women residing in the area. Whether they are sex workers or women sustaining themselves through activities within the red-light district, they persistently endure societal perceptions as individuals engaged in sinful pursuits, notwithstanding the official cessation of prostitution by the government. The empowerment responses provided to women affected by the red-light district still predominantly focus on entrepreneurial training and transitioning to alternative employment, yet there is a notable lack of attention given to the individual challenges faced by those striving to attain autonomy and human rights post-exit from prostitution. This empowerment initiative employs the photovoice method, a participatory action research (PAR) approach that engages participants in depicting their life experiences through photographs and group discussions. The method empowers participants to identify needs, aspirations, concerns, and issues related to their personal and community lives. The ten women involved produce a photo exhibition to advocate stakeholders about aspirations and strengths reflecting the personal and communal voices of the participants. Through the photovoice method, participants are empowered to narrate their stories directly and accurately, fostering a participatory knowledge exchange between researchers and participants