Women’s Voices Project Highlights Marginalized Perspectives

“Women experiencing homelessness are a minority among the homeless. Their voices are often marginalised, although their experiences can provide valuable information on whether existing support meets their needs”, says Saija Turunen, Research Manager at Y-Säätiö, describing the social significance of the project.

“Women themselves know best what is important to them. Security issues often come to the fore.”

In addition to Y-Säätiö, the project involves Vailla vakinaista asuntoa ry, Naistenkartano ry and Suur-Helsingin Valkonauha from Finland, and international partners BMSZKI from Hungary, Kings of the Street from Slovenia, Armée du Salut from France, SOMOS from Portugal, South East Technology University from Ireland and FEANTSA, the umbrella organisation of European homelessness organisations. Y-Säätiö is coordinating the project in Finland.

The project uses the participatory Visual Voices method, which uses photographs to make women’s experiences visible.

Towards better services

Support services for people experiencing homelessness are under pressure to make savings from many directions, as social and health organisations face falling grant levels and well-being services counties seek to balance their budgets. The involvement of service users in their development is particularly important now.

“When resources are scarce, it is critical to ensure that they are properly allocated. Women’s experiences can act as a guiding light for the development of services,” says Turunen.

During the project, training and workshops will be organised and advocacy work will be carried out, for example through photo exhibitions.

“In addition to developing services, the Women’s Stories project can raise women’s homelessness in the social debate. Photography can help to reveal the world of women experiencing homelessness, a world that is usually invisible.”