Waku Work Marche 2023 (held on December 2, 2023) - Looking at society through the lens of gender. A heartfelt and abundant market.

On December 2, 2023, the Kurashiki City Gender Equality Promotion Division hosted the Wakuwaku Marche 2023, operated by Takahashi River Presentare.

Just by incorporating "wakuwaku" and "marche," the image of "work" (job) seems to transform into something very enjoyable.

There were talk sessions, panel exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and a food marche.

I attended this event filled with activities.

Event Details

The venue was the entire community floor on the first floor of Mizushima Ai Ai Salon East Building and the lawn square.

All the talk sessions, seminars, and workshops were attractive, and I was quite indecisive about the reservations beforehand.

There were many hopeful participants, and some events even had a lottery.

I was fortunate to win a spot in my desired seminar. I was able to reserve childcare in advance, so I could participate with my child with peace of mind.

Marche at the Lawn Square

I set off eagerly and arrived just after the start at a little past 10 AM.

The seminar I won a spot in was an hour later. I headed straight to the marche at the lawn square.

If the sun is out, the weather is warm enough to make your body feel cozy.

The sky was beautifully clear, and both my heart and body felt relaxed.

There were a total of 13 shops gathered at the lawn square.

There were shops that have been loved by many people for a long time, rooted in the community, as well as shops striving to revitalize the area once again.

Some shops were rediscovering the goodness of the region and expanding their new appeal, while some organizations were trying to strengthen the community's power by reconstructing connections after disasters and misfortunes.

▼ The one that attracted my attention was this.

The "Shimotsui Wakame" from Yoshimata Shoten, known to those in the know, is perfect for miso soup.

Just one bite made me realize, "The umami is completely different," impressing even miso soup lovers.

▼ For my always-hungry daughter, I got the lotus root croquettes from Kushidamaru.

The crispy coating looked fragrant, and it was gone in no time.

I couldn't get even a single bite from my daughter, and I was tempted to buy another one, but the seminar time was approaching.

I left my daughter at the childcare room and headed to the seminar I was looking forward to.

Seminar

Each seminar lasted about 50 minutes, with four sessions scheduled at staggered times.

The Wakuwaku Marche 2023 has the concept of addressing the "significant issues that may narrow the life possibilities of each individual due to their assigned gender at birth" and aims to "create a social environment in various aspects, such as systems and people's awareness."

It seemed that the seminars were themed around women's empowerment.

The seminars I signed up for were two.

Interview writer Yokoyama Maiko and TAYORI Inc. CEO Okuno Miwako were the speakers.

Both sessions had participants who were very engaged, and it was evident, including myself, that there was a high interest in how women can thrive.

What both speakers had in common was that they had changed their careers due to marriage, childbirth, and relocations due to their partner's job transfers.

Even after changing careers, both speakers are active in various fields.

Although they are in different locations and fields, their active presence seemed very free and natural.

It was a very satisfying content, and I found myself getting excited during the Q&A session after the seminar.

Even if one finds their ideal way of working and living before marriage, the subsequent life events such as marriage, childbirth, and relocation significantly impact many women in Japan today.

What I felt when hearing about the journeys of both speakers to their current states was that they are not bound by existing frameworks of work and company structures.

It was a seminar that taught how to find one's own strengths and charms rather than conforming to existing norms.

Talk Sessions and Panel Exhibitions

During the breaks between seminars, I visited the adjacent floor. High school students were showcasing their inquiry-based learning through panel exhibitions.

The simplicity of their perspectives opened my eyes, and I felt a freshness in the process of moving from hypothesis to investigation and inquiry.

It seemed like they were standing on tiptoes, trying to step one step further into society.

Looking back at myself, I think there was a time when I had questions like "Why?" and "How?" but chose to ignore them.

It is necessary not only for students but also for adults to not leave questions that arise in their hearts unanswered or to be forced to accept them through someone else's words, and to learn and know in their own way, even if answers are not immediately found.

Seeing the learning outcomes of today's high school students, I felt a refreshing sense of hope from the panel exhibition.

▼ Next to the panel exhibition, the talk session, which was one of the highlights of the event, was being prepared.

I had given up on making a reservation because it overlapped with the seminar time, but surprisingly, I had the chance to listen on the day.

The facilitator was Chihiro Miyoshi, representative of the General Incorporated Association Kono Hitokan.

Following the university students' presentations, a talk session involving high school students unfolded.

Here too, the process of insights arising from casual "Why?" and "How?" questions and deepening into learning was visible, and I had a very fulfilling time.

They expressed themselves in their own words to people outside of school and enjoyed dialogues with people different from students and teachers.

Opportunities like this talk session, which do not fit into the framework of "students," may create even more exciting things.

Workshops

The workshop booths showed a quiet liveliness with families seriously engaged in crafting.

The instructors varied in their forms, being individual business owners or freelancers, but they were all active not only as handmade creators but also as instructors and event planners in various fields.

I was unable to participate in the workshop due to my elementary school daughter's health issues, but it seems that some creators have already decided on their next events for Christmas and the New Year.

I plan to aim for the next opportunity right away.

As I observed the content of the seminars and the activities of many handmade creators, I felt that the way of working as an individual or freelancer, not belonging to an organization, may continue to expand in the future.

Conclusion

Waku Work Marche 2023 provided an opportunity to reflect on the current state of work and society from a gender perspective.

Each of the many events was filled with the thoughts of the people who organized and managed them.

I believe that in the coming era, it will be increasingly desirable to know and respect diverse ways of being, not just based on gender.

By facing the questions of students heading into such an era, I felt that I want to be an adult who can move together with them.

Additionally, I also felt a desire to be involved as a stakeholder in creating a social environment where women can thrive by utilizing their strengths.

Ultimately, I think Waku Work Marche has provided various opportunities so that the impact of life events does not overly bias towards one gender, allowing each individual to live without their life possibilities being restricted.

For those who could not attend the marche, if there are any booths that interest you, why not try to connect with them?

Waku Work Marche 2023 Data

Name	Waku Work Marche 2023
Date	December 2, 2023 From 10 AM to 3 PM
Location	1-50 Higashichidori-cho, Mizushima, Kurashiki City
Participation Fee (including tax)	Talk sessions, panel exhibitions, seminar participation fee: Free Workshops: Paid (varies by booth) Marche: Paid (varies by store and product)
Homepage	General Incorporated Association Takahashigawa Basin Presentare

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