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DANCE FOR YOUR RIGHTS

COMMUNITY SENSITIZATION AND COMMUNITY DIALOGUE FORUM USING THEATRE

First quarter activity report

2011

PJ number: PJ-11404

Report by: Yamikani Banda, Project coordinator

GENET-Malawi, Box 2875, Blantyre.

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Introduction

This report gives a summary of the Public dialogue and theatre for social and policy change activities that took place in nine communities under dance for your rights sensitization and mobilization campaign. Traditional dances and theatre performances were used as a crowd pullers as well as a means to communicate messages in an edutainment approach.

Over 15,000 people have been reached and participated in the dialogue and discussion forums on issues affecting girls and young women in the target areas. Through these dialogues, a plate form was provided where experiences and women’s issues were shared, debated to find different views and possible solution options were suggested at community level and action plan is devised.

Finally, community monitoring committees (rights groups) were created and are responsible for monitoring and ensuring that the action plan is followed. These committees also act as a focal point and a forum where women issues are channelled and discussed within the communities. This committee are linked to Victim support units, social welfare department and organizations that provides social services.

Among the important people that attended these performances includes traditional Authorities (leaders), government representatives, Police (victim support unit), Non-Governmental Organizations such as NICE, Young Generation Movement, Youth Impact, Nanzikambe Arts Organization and religious leaders.

Objectives

The activities were conducted to achieve the following objectives;

To provide a dialogue platform for young women to be able to express their concerns.

To increase public debate and awareness of the negative consequences of violence against women.

To challenge stereo types, negative perceptions and attitudes that increase vulnerability of girls and women to abuse and violence.

To challenge harmful cultural practices and advocate for their review and reform to the advantage of girls and young women.

Methodology

Theatre for policy advocacy was used as a tool to communicate and advocate for social and policy change. The process involved the following processes in each project site;

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Action research

The interaction performance highly depends on the experiences of community members especially girls and women and such information is collected through participatory and action research. Action research in these communities was done by observing the socio-economic status of girls and women and the cultural norms that contribute to some unfairness towards girls and women. This observation technique was through a community transect walk and in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with women.

The research findings are the basis of the theatre performance and post theatre dialogue sessions.

Interactive play development

The information sourced from the action research formed the basis of the scenario of the interactive play to be performed before the communities in the area. The preponderant issues from the action research were used to draft the play block scenario that was the translated into a play by modifying the generic script. The script was then rehearsed after the casting and the traditional songs and dances were incorporated as the integral part of the play to communicate with the whole person.

Open day Theatre for Policy for social change

In this drama, the audience was engaged in the drama and issues raised during the play were directly verified with the audience. This gave the TPA team real ground where the dialogue was to base.

The play highlighted the problems and position of the women and girls in the areas. These were dramatized and verified during the process. The issues in the drama guide and are a base of the post performance dialogue.

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Pictures of the performances

Traditional dance and songs is part of the theatre for social change.

1. Post performance dialogue

After the performance, it was a time for community members and invited key stakeholders to dialogue and discusses issues raised in the performance and to clarify their position and roles each one plays to alleviate problems highlight in the play. The discussion is facilitated by GENET staff who is also a master of ceremony.

Young women participants expressing her views during the campaign

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A young man expressing his views and ideas on issues that affect girls and women.

Dancing for your rights as part of TPA performance to entertain and maintain the audience

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part of the audience during a dance for your rights sensitization and mobilization campaing

A woman sharing her GBV experience and how her life has been affected.

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Minister of finance, Ken Kandodo Banda responding to issues raised during the performance. He in his speech he pledged to recommend an increase in budgetary allocation for adolescent girls and young women during the next parliamentary budget session.

Community group participate in the Theatre for social change.

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A young woman contributing to the discussion during TPA performance.

Young woman contributing to the dialogue/discussion session during a performance in Chimwankhunda.

Short-term outcome

Increase public dialogue on women rights and women issues. More women are aware of their rights and report cases of violence. More women speak against gender based violence and report cases of

violence.

SUMMARY TABLE

Date location Discussion Theme Attendance

(Approx)

3-5 February Zingwangwa Child marriage 1200

22-24 February Ndilande Child marriage 800

6-8 March Soche Reproductive health & women’s rights

1800

19-21 March Misesa Reproductive health & women’s rights

1300

4-6 April Namiyango Reproductive health & women’s rights

1500

17-19 April Bangwe Right to education 2000

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for a girl child.

29-31 April Ndilande 2 Violence against women is human right violation.

2500

12-15 May Chimwankhunda Violence against women is human right violation.

900

28-30 May Chilobwe Violence against women is human right violation.

2000

Lessons learnt

Male involvement is critical to achieve gender equality and violence free nation. These need to be integrated in the project and as more women and men become women’s right advocates, change will be inevitable.

Conclusion

The campaign was successful as the entire process ensured community involvement and participation. Young women actively participated and the entire process was empowering and communities took control of the process. The process allowed transfer of skills to girls and young women and their communities. It was obvious that the approach was effective and a powerful advocacy tool. In all the areas, pertinent issues were intensely discussed and action points noted.

Way forward

There is need for follow up and support activities in all the project sites to monitor the social change advocated and further challenge barriers.