Achieving a Better Life
Using Theater and Film to Fight Violence Against WomenISSUE:
According to team leader Charlotte Nyiraneza, physical, emotional, economic and sexual violence against women is responsible for the overall oppression of women throughout Rwanda.
SOLUTION:
Achieving a Better Life is using theater to educate the population about the causes and consequences of violence against women. The guided conversations following each performance are designed to encourage men to make better decisions and educate women about their rights and alternatives to violence. Achieving a Better Life aims to see a 70% reduction in physical violence and fighting within the target population, a 75% decrease in husbands who seek the services of prostitutes, a 95% increase in family planning, a 50% increase in the number of girls sent to school and a 70% improvement in women's psychological wellbeing.
IMPACT:
Since beginning operations in 2009, this team has performed roughly every month in five communities within Kigali on the topics of domestic violence, violence against domestic workers, adultery and bearing children out of wedlock. Their performances have been attended by ever growing crowds - over 1,200 at each of the first three performances of 2013. The reaction of the audience during the hosted discussions afterwards is very positive. Many women have reported that following the performance, they have gone to seek help for domestic violence and have talked to their husbands about how to improve their relationships. Many men also attend the performances, and have stated that they have started to think more seriously about how they treat their wives. Since beginning the performances, domestic violence rates in these communities has been reduced by 60%. The team has also produced two full-length films on the topic of domestic violence and marital relations.
Project Details
Grant Amount: $3100
Team Size: 20 Members
Social Impact: 150 Households and Audiences of 25,000+
Team Work
Project Press
February 3, 2009
Stopping Domestic Violence Through Theater
World Pulse Magazine
January 19, 2009
Achieving a Better Life Wins World Pulse Second Annual Bold Ideas Contest
Focus Media Online
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