WHAT Muse is a collection of tools that addresses different challenges within a woman’s journey through life. The narrative navigates from puberty to womanhood and targets two different leverage points: Sex Education and gynecological appointments.
Muse answers real world challenges in a society which shies away from Sex Education and surrounds the topics of body and sexuality with shame. Muse empowers girls to face their bodies and break their silence in order to shape a new generation that feels differently, challenges oppressive perspectives and has a healthier relationship with bodies and sexuality.
Muse answers real world challenges in a society which shies away from Sex Education and surrounds the topics of body and sexuality with shame. Muse empowers girls to face their bodies and break their silence in order to shape a new generation that feels differently, challenges oppressive perspectives and has a healthier relationship with bodies and sexuality.
WHY Growing up as a woman in male-centered society is a challenging journey where girls and women are isolated when it comes to body awareness and sexual education. Essential conversations are often not addressed within the family, and not thoroughly at school. In France 31% of women aged between 18 and 24 have never been to the gynecologist - art.fr, while in the UK, 1/3 of the women 'testified having delayed their smear test appointments due to embarrassment regarding their body shape (35%), the appearance of their vulva (34%) or concerns over smell (38%)’ - BBC 'Embarrassment makes women avoid smear tests'.
HOW The first kit contains educational objects and cards that address ‘taboo’ topics to support young girls to gradually become informed and empowered women. The second kit is tackling women's healthcare and is composed of a gown and an interactive stand. The gown empowers women to only show the parts that need to be seen during a gynecology appointment, while the stand familiarizes patients with gynecological tools.
Muse was born from conversations about body and sexuality and the desire to explore this territory through a women centered approach. Muse was iteratively developed with the involvement of several experts such as: gynecologists, midwives, psychologists, teachers - but most importantly women from different ages, backgrounds and cultures. These essential conversations supported the project and also challenged it with insights. Gynecologists and midwives testified experiencing daily apologies from patients about their bodies. Their call is consistent: it is urgent that women are aware of their body.
The gown echoes patients' experienced vulnerability. The stand targets a leverage point identified with experts: the waiting room's sterility and the need to bridge with apprehensive patients.
The SEX ED kit was tested with 16 girls - Year 9 at St. Margaret School. Being able to curate a workshop, observe how the kit was perceived and collect feedback was the apogee of Muse's journey.
The gown echoes patients' experienced vulnerability. The stand targets a leverage point identified with experts: the waiting room's sterility and the need to bridge with apprehensive patients.
The SEX ED kit was tested with 16 girls - Year 9 at St. Margaret School. Being able to curate a workshop, observe how the kit was perceived and collect feedback was the apogee of Muse's journey.
EXPERTS / TESTING / VALIDATION
ITERATING THROUGH A HAND ON APPROACH
https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/rca2022-graduates-ask-can-our-bodies-be-more-than-we-imagine/
