Sexuality, Women Empowerment and Collective therapy: A case study on embroidery groups after Sichuan May 12 earthquakes Dr. Pei Yuxin Associate Professor, Sun Yat-sen University, China

Outline of Presentation Part I: Introduction of Disaster social work practice in Sichuan province since 2008 Part II: Rural-urban cooperation since 2000 Part III: Community social work in urban areas since 2011 Part IV: Gendered social work practice and supervision since 2011-now

Part1: Disaster social work (2008-now) The 2008 Sichuan earthquake measured at 8.0 Ms hit Sichuan province of China on May 12, 2008, killed at least 68,000 people and left about 4.8 million people homeless according to official figures (as of July 21, :00 CST). We helped the women of Qiang ethnic group in Yingxiu county who lost their children in the quake to team up in an embroidery project. The grief-stricken mothers came together to make embroidery artwork, based on the paintings of their lost children.

NWEC 2011 Seminar for Gender Equality Officers and Women Leaders in the Asia Pacific Region 4

5

From embroidery group to hostels organizers The project not only provides post-trauma theraphy, but also serves to facilitate community participation, promote economic independence, and generate income and employment opportunities. Now the project is to be reformulated into a sustainable community development project. Women organized a group to do tourism. People from urban areas would come to visit the community, to stay with the family and to spend on food and bed. NWEC 2011 Seminar for Gender Equality Officers and Women Leaders in the Asia Pacific Region 6

Reconstruction of community psychology, culture and relationships

Part 2:Rural-urban cooperation (2000- now)

Part3: Community social work in urban areas (2011-now)

Part4: Gendered social work practice and supervision (2011- now)

Thank you