Catalyst for change, Popular theatre in Bangladesh

Introduction Popular theatre program   Introduction  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out to protect the freedom and equality of all people without distinction of race, sex, religion, political or other opinion, nationality or wealth. Although these rights are protected in the Constitution of Bangladesh, long-established customs often mean that Bangladeshi women, children and minority groups are not always able to enjoy them. Traditionally women in Bangladesh have not been allowed to work outside the home. Women in rural areas care for children and the elderly, cook, wash and grow and prepare food. As these activities are unpaid, they are not considered ‘work’, and because girls are simply meant to take on these roles themselves, educating them is often considered unnecessary. Many rural women run their own small businesses preparing food or providing services on top of the long hours they spend doing household activities. Some are employed as day labourers, but generally receive far less pay than men for the same work. Women are also subjected to physical violence , exploitation and trafficking. Those responsible often are not prosecuted, as police and the courts do not always consider such acts to be crimes, which promotes an atmosphere of impunity. Limited political and press freedom means this mistreatment is rarely made public and further removes women from the protection of the law. Changing a culture in which violence towards women is acceptable and regarded as a private, family matter is a long, slow process. The Bangladeshi Government has enacted laws to protect women, set up several agencies to monitor and protect the rights of women, promoted the role of women in local government and education and provided four months’ maternity leave for women in government jobs. Helping people, particularly those in rural areas, learn about their rights and the protection offered by the law is also important in bringing about change. Popular theatre program The Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) uses its Popular Theatre program to create social and political awareness in rural communities. The program is a powerful means of disseminating information, particularly to those who are unable to read. BRAC is one of the largest non-government organisations in Bangladesh. Operating at a village level, it takes an integrated approach to providing education and training, health care and micro-finance to the rural poor to help them take greater control of their lives. BRAC also supports change at the government and institutional level through advocacy and research. Villagers in Manikganj, Bangladesh watch a performance by their local theatre group that both entertains them and teaches them about their rights. Source: Simon Buckley/AusAID The Popular Theatre program formed drama groups consisting of ten people: three female members of the BRAC village organisations and seven males, who were generally relatives of the women. This was a way of encouraging greater communication between men and women in a safe environment. The drama groups attended a six-day training course on acting and directing. Each group then investigated and decided on the social and human rights issues their plays would cover. They based their plays on real events in village life and included legal and human rights information to demonstrate improved ways of dealing with issues. Some of the issues covered included early marriages, dowries, divorce, polygamy, violence, rape, acid attacks and arsenic contamination of drinking water. After each performance a coordinator encourages discussion about the issues raised. Women and men share their ideas. Some may even share their own problems so that others can make suggestions about how to solve them. An overview of the laws is also provided, as are ways to ensure their implementation within the local community. Existing social practices that run counter to the law and ways to change these are discussed. Working at a village level means the BRAC can also involve influential local community members in the process of changing unacceptable social practices. Each drama group performs its play many times, providing an enjoyable way of learning about and discussing very serious issues – truly a catalyst for change. For further information: http://www.brac.net