PRESS RELEASE

27 March 2003– for immediate release

Women's Voices and African Theatre

Theatre in most of Africa has for centuries been an important social phenomenon, playing a central role in religion, ritual and social practices, as an art form and as a vehicle for passing on information and traditions, as well as for expressing ideas. In recent years, theatre has started to play a role in development and as a means of political expression. Women and women’s groups have also started to make use of this powerful expressive medium to promote equality in the home and in society, as well as to educate and advocate around their issues.

This report explores the significance of theatre as a means to freedom of expression for women in four African countries: Zimbabwe, Kenya, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It provides an historical overview of the development of theatre in those countries, as well as of the contemporary theatre scene. It also focuses specifically on how, and whether, women are able to access this form of communication, and the reasons it is particularly important to women in Africa. Finally, it provides recommendations for reform both generally in relation to theatre and more particularly for enhancing access by women to this important medium for social change.

The English version of the report can be found on ARTICLE 19’s website at: http://www.article19.org/docimages/1544.PDF [2]

The French version of the report can be found on ARTICLE 19’s website at: http://www.article19.org/docimages/1546.PDF [3]

For further information contact:

John Barker, Africa Programme Director, ARTICLE 19, tel: +27 11 403 1488, e-mail: [email protected] [4] or

Célestine Nkulu, Africa Project Officer, e-mail: [email protected] [5]

The information contained in this press release is the sole responsibility of ARTICLE 19. In citing this material for broadcast and publication, please credit ARTICLE 19.