In 2022, a passionate group of six international students from the University of Waikato partnered with Shama to explore ways of preventing sexual violence and raising awareness within their international community. After attending an online workshop delivered by Shama -which was adapted by the Shama team to be delivered online due to the COVID-19 restrictions-, the students were inspired to take action. They designed their own workshop on consent and healthy relationships, incorporating a hands-on activism component: the Clothing Line Project.
This idea was influenced by the International Clothesline Campaign, which highlights the high number of domestic violence cases worldwide. However, the students reimagined the concept. Instead of sharing individual stories, they used t-shirts as a canvas to promote messages of sexual violence prevention, consent, and healthy relationships. Following the two-hour workshop, participants spent an hour creating unique t-shirt designs with empowering messages with the attendees. These works of wearable art became conversation starters, sparking dialogue among students and helping to spread awareness in an approachable, creative way.
Although the original plan was to display the shirts on campus in a clothing line, many participants chose to wear them, turning everyday spaces into platforms for advocacy. By blending art, fashion, and social action, these international students created an initiative that encouraged open conversations about consent and healthy relationships across the university community.
