Zeest conducts self-growth workshops with various groups of women with the aim of facilitating the learning of life skills, bringing about an attitudinal change, and promoting self-esteem and confidence in women for a positive life style.

Methodology

The workshops are conducted usually with small groups of twelve to fifteen participants and are composed of at least twenty hours of facilitated self-growth. Modules for these groups, although always open to adaptation based upon a groups' needs and our learnings, are documented and have been tested through Rozan's work over the last few years.

The methodology of the workshops is experiential and the sessions include role-plays and group work.

Topics covered vary from group to group but essentially cover most of the following:

• Self-Awareness
• Identification and expression of feelings
• Communication
• Behavior (aggressive, passive assertive)
• Power
• Gender
• Prejudice
• Stress management
• Anger management
• Self Esteem

Beneficiaries

Zeest has conducted self-growth workshops with diverse groups of women that includes students of the PAF Finishing School for Women and Behbud Center in Rehmetabad, Rawalpindi , as well as groups of rural women in Haripur and Gujjar Khan.

The module on self-growth is also a component of the sensitization and skill trainings workshops with professionals such as police, media, lawyers, medical health professionals, and service providers working with survivors of violence.

Comments from some of our Self-Growth Workshop participants:

• This workshop helped me gain more awareness about myself and I learnt how to build and maintain relationships.
• The workshop has helped me understand my feelings and I have also learnt how to express my anger in a healthy way.
• I have gained more awareness about assertive behavior and I find that the sessions are greatly helping me in my practical life.