YDC Theatre rides on art in SRH advocacy
The Youth Developers Collaboration (YDC) Theatre has unveiled an innovative art-centred project called Udolo Wanga.
The project will deploy artistic tools such as theatre, music and poetry in advocating for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) rights. The youthful group will engage in performances, interactive workshops and community outreach programmes targeting youths from Blantyre District.
Speaking in an interview, YDC Theatre managing director Fumbani Phiri said the objective of the project is to empower and promote access to SRH services among youths using art.
“Art is very powerful. Art is a medium that attracts audiences and also offers a direct voice to society. That is why we decided to use art with a special focus on theatre,” he said.
Phiri said they are targeting to reach out to young people from areas such as Bangwe, Ndirande, and Kachere townships.
They will also conduct some of their engagements at Our Lady of Wisdom, Stella Maris, Nyambadwe Private and Ndirande Hills secondary schools.
Phiri said: “Apart from theatre, we will also produce a music album which will feature compositions from the youth we will be working with. The songs will carry messages on sexual and reproductive health rights. The integration of various forms of art will make the messaging vibrant.”
The project, which will run for an initial one-year period, is being funded by Human Institute for Development Corporation (Hivos) and YDC Theatre is working in partnership with other stakeholders such as the district health office and district education office.
Phiri said the campaign will culminate in an event dubbed Udolo Wanga Ghettoh Youth Festival to be held in Bangwe Township in Blantyre in October where the content developed as part of the project will be exhibited.
Creative director for youthful enterprise hub Good Talent, Nyokase Madise, said art stirs reactions which generate discussions and debates as it picks on people’s curiosity while at the same time presenting the issues in a manner that people can relate to.
“Drama and other forms of art are perfect in advocating for sensitive issues such as SRH. It is a mirror whereby someone is able to say what everyone is thinking. Even though some of these issues may still appear like a taboo in our communities, the context is different in a dramatic setting,” she said.
Madise said the youth are at the centre when it comes to reproductive health issues, therefore, they need to be empowered, not just to access the services, but dictate the services that they want.
She said: “Importantly, they need to inform the kind of relationship they want with their gatekeepers, teachers, parents and health service providers.”
