admin
Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
Artistes have increased their gender awareness activities as the country prepares to launch the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign in early December. Bulawayo-based theatre powerhouse Victory Siyanqoba Trust has launched a play “If God was a Woman”, which tackles gender-based domestic violence in preparation for the campaign. The play is being staged in a number of high-density suburbs in Bulawayo.
Director of the trust Desire Moyo said the motive behind the play was to create awareness campaign against gender-based violence.
“In most communities in Zimbabwe, women are still considered as objects, weaker and inferior.
“As artistes our role is to expose such barbaric violations and help to transform society from coming out of the insensitivity patriarchal state of society cocoon and become a more embracing society ,” said Moyo.
He urged women to be strong and continue the struggle for their emancipation until there is equality in society.
“Women have for long been oppressed, downtrodden and looked down upon,” he added.
Popular musician Leonard Zhakata has joined the bandwagon in the fight against gender-based violence with a single titled “Murume Chaiye”.
Over the years, people have danced to songs such as Alick Macheso’s “Baba VaSandi” and Sniper Storm’s “Hubhinya” among others which talk about domestic violence.
And it is refreshing to see men who for long have been seen as perpetrators of violence, taking the lead in the fight against gender-based violence.
“Murume Chaiye” demystifies the popular notion that a real man should show masculine qualities when dealing with women.
“Women suffering at the hands of men should know that they are not alone in the fight against gender-based violence. They should speak out not suffer in silence,” said Zhakata.
Pamberi Trust, which runs Book Cafe, has also launched awareness campaigns on gender-based violence.
“Pamberi Trust has been holding regular programmes like these since 2007 where women artistes are given a platform to enhance opportunities in the arts in the safety of daytime,” said Penny Yon, arts administrator of Pamberi Trust.
Online Reporter