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Vagina monologues explores Malawian womanhood

The Wildlife Centre Amphitheatre in Lilongwe was pulsing, vibrating, raving, emotional, retaliating, and gushing self-affirmation when the Vagina Monologues appeared on stage for the very first time on the
Malawi soil.

Despite living in a time of unprecedented information-sharing where countless believe all mysteries have been de-mystified and secrets completely revealed, the female genitalia and women’s sexuality still remain unclear if not a taboo in Malawi.vagina monologues (3)

Like the original monologues, the Malawi concept encompassed the feminine experience and added a new dialogue from a Malawian perspective. The focus on issues was relating to early marriage,education, female genital mutilation, sex, sexuality and sexual orientation in the context of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender, rape violence against women and girls, HIV and AIDS andthe joy of being a female.

The amphitheatre was packed to the beam, with men as well as women.

They had come out to support empowering women to rise against sexual discrimination and violence instead of buying into a victim mentality — or, even worse, a blame game.

The female genitalia was the mantra and the word resounded proudly throughout the show as different actresses took turns in stepping soundlessly into the lives of different women from across the globe, to share the latter’s expe-riences, or lack thereof, with their private part.vagina monologues (4)

Eve Ensler’s work, conceived about 15 years ago after several probing interviews with women regarding their unfath-omable Bermuda triangle of intimacy, still managed to engross and inspire.

The monologues shift from hilarious to shocking, poignant to startling. Performance poet Lilly Banda brought blew up the place with her emotional writing on early marriages, Chisomo Nthinda recounted, with sorrow and perplexed dignity, a young woman’s shame regarding a rape ordeal and Sarah Lindeire reclaimed the C-word with a strong purring aplomb.vagina monologues (1)

Joining them for various sketches to destigmatise and demystify female sexuality were performers such as such as Sharmila Elian, Zahir Elias,Gerturde Abudu, Sarah Rawson and guest appearances from Samantha Nampuntha, Veronica Chagunda and Yolanda Ng’oma As they stepped on stage and before they could say a word, the audience would burst excitedly, clapping in time and eager to hear what they had to offer. In no time, each was able to slip quietly into the roles required to interpret each piece: the in-telligent, introspective and refreshingly witty women.
The actresses were wonderfully convincing in their ‘roles’, and their voice, accent and movement greatly strengthened the credibility of the monologues being related.

One of the highlights of the evening that evoked gasps and later silence from the audience was a vivid account of the rape and genital mutilation of women in some parts of the continent. The act, solidified a dual message that women’s sexual expression and awareness is to be celebrated amongst themselves.vagina monologues (2)

The monologues, which were moving, hilarious, thought-provoking and heartbreaking, addressed the diverse aspects the feminine existence as experienced through the female private part – sex, love, birth, rape, menstruation, as well as popular and often ridiculous nicknames for the same.

The play tells the stories of women across the globe with a combination of comical and somber pieces celebrating women’s sexuality and strength. Through these plays and the liberation of this one word, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives.

The audience’s favorite for the evening, was Sharmila’s interpretation of “how women in different parts of the world respond when the river flows”. Indeed, this monologue climaxed with a demonstration of various moans, including the “Malawian moan”.

The play is not a show everyone feels comfortable watching as it’s a recital about the female genitalia, and how it has suffered abuse through the ages. It depicts precisely how a woman is raised up right from tender age, believing that she has to please her man, always, while the man does nothing for the future wife.

It is an effort to unmask the veil secrecy and silence deal with the same accordingly in as far as women issues are concerned.

The event was the quintessential example of live theatre’s potential to galvanise people especially in conservative Malawi. During break, the greens were abuzz with audience members excitedly discussing how
they can do their bit for the cause.

From the cheers, jeers and shouts, the monologues were viewed by many as revolutionary, provoking and eye-opening entertainment with a bold step towards encouraging women to appreciate themselves and who they
are.

Given the high level of prevalence of discrimination and multiple forms of violence against women and girls in Malawi, and failure to meet some of the critical Millennium Development Goals including promoting gender equality and empower women, this localised production was aimed at bringing a new platform for the discourse of gender issues in Malawi.

The monologues did not only highlight the issues faced by women but also provided a podium from which women can freely express themselves, raise awareness on gender inequality and also break free from stereotypical roles. The production, scripts and directing of the monologues will be overseen by the Blackmore Crea-tives.

Since it was originally performed by play author, playwright and founder of the V-Day movement, Eve Ensler over 15 years ago, The Vagina Monologues has been performed all over the world by diverse casts, the proceeds of these performances are channelled to local anti-violence organizations around the world.

In Malawi, the proceeds will be donated to Malawi’s Girls Empowerment Network which provides menstruation sani-tary kits to school girls in their efforts in empowering the girl child. The monologues began as a one-woman show in 1996 – a series of character-driven pieces, almost like poetry, each revealing a different woman’s experience with top-ics such as: sex, love, tenderness, embarrassment, cruelty, pain, and pleasure. As the show
increased in popularity, it began to be performed by an ensemble of actresses.

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