Theater for Development (TfD) creates a safe space for community members to engage in deep conversations, reflection, and urgency to generate collective action toward issues concerning them. With support from Eastern Produce Malawi (EPM) Limited, we are engaging communities surrounding its 18 Tea and Macadamia Estates in Mulanje and Thyolo using TfD in the three-year-long Tiyambe Project.
The Project seeks to address issues of gender equality and sexual harassment by involving communities as active participants in forming appropriate messaging using local drama groups which are trained in the use of the approach. The artists develop a sketch play based on Participatory Rural Communication Appraisal (PRCA) findings and explore problems, causes, and solutions together with the community during the performance. This process leads to the development of Community Action Plans (CAPs). During a performance at Nasonia Estate, it was disclosed that Child marriage cases are rampant and underreported in the area. Some greedy parents also marry off their teenage daughters to men who go to South Africa for greener pastures.
“The whole situation escalated until it came to a meeting of the village with the Chief. At this point the play turned into a real village meeting about GBV in the community, power dynamics shifted, and the community members overwhelmingly pressed the Chief on what he will do to solve the issues raised.” Narrates Dr. Galia Boneh, ArtGlo’s Board Chairperson and Co-founder.
Apart from pressing the Village Headman, the community sort clarification from James Mpando, a member of the Thyolo Police Victim Support Unit (VSU) on how they handle cases of GBV that are reported to them. He further urged the people not to tamper with pieces of evidence of abuse and not to hide perpetrators of vice.
“We really participated in the play as it also gave us a platform to press our community leaders and the police. I believe what has been discussed will be implemented.” Expressed Annie Chingaipe, one of the villagers in Ngongoliwa village within the estate.
Nevertheless, Village Headman Ngongoliwa assured the gathering that he will not side with perpetrators of GBV in his area and that he will make sure that the suggested actions are adhered to. The event was also patronized by Esther Mughogho, EPM’s Gender and Welfare Manager, who expressed the company’s commitment to supporting activities aimed at addressing GBV within the area it operates.
