Melbourne Citymission has teamed up with CASA House (the Centre Against Sexual Assault) and the YWCA in an exciting project working with young people to create music with messages against violence towards women. A CD entitled ‘16 Songs for 16 Days‘ will launch at Federation Square today at 2pm.

The CD launch is part of ‘16 Days of Activism’ – an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women, which runs for 16 days from 25th November to 10th December 2011. The project has had a major focus on running workshops for young people who are interested in music and hip hop; the workshops enabled them to create raps with messages against violence towards women.

This was a new initiative which brought together services that support young people who have experienced homelessness and sexual assault services. It has been the first time Melbourne Citymission and CASA House have worked together with young people in providing group work and developing campaign materials which are aimed at creating a safer society. Working with well known Australian hip hop artists like MC Reason, Miss Cheek, Elf Transporter, Lesson MC and Macromantics, the young people involved in the workshops let their voices be heard and at the same time stepped out of their usual comfort zone to create powerful and dynamic lyrics. This has been an innovative project, with inspirational results, thanks to the young community members taking part.

A track has been recorded by the young people and 16 tracks have also been chosen by well known Australian hip hop artists to create the CD. The CD, mastered and produced by Obese Records, the largest hip hop label in Australia, is aimed at promoting healthy, respectful relationships, with anti-violence messages and has meaningful tracks to tie in with the campaign’s theme.

5,000 copies of the CD will be distributed to homelessness organisations and sexual assault support services throughout Australia, with the aim of using music to raise awareness and inform young people most at risk of their rights and the supports that are available. Services will also be encouraged to use the CD as a means of engaging young people to consider the issue of violence against women and its impacts.

Graffiti and stencil artists have supported the young people to create artwork for the CD and publicity material. It’s been great to see so many people prepared to support social change, working towards a safer community for everyone.

Get down to Fed Square today at 2pm and show you support.

Tracks

16 Days – Reason FT Miss Karleena & Lotus

Hey Folks – Eloquor

My Lady – Thundamentals FT Ray Mann

Burn city – Pegz FT Kye

Cycles of survival – Dialectrix

Dancing in darkness – Miss Cheek

Table for two – Spit Syndicate

Diamonds – Illy FT Wren

Lover come to find me – Jess Harlen

The mash – Thundamentals

She’s in control – Alpha Mama FT Kweeng

Subtle brother – Rainman

More front than Myers – Mc Que

Youth – Reason FT Cammee

That day – Pash

Friday – A-Love

Bonus track: I’ll be fine – Precinct 16

CASA House || Melbourne Citymission || Obese Records