[women-rights] ARTICLE19 publishes Women's Voices and African Theatre

PRESS RELEASE
27 March 2003- for immediate release

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

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



For further information contact:
John Barker, Africa Programme Director, ARTICLE 19, tel: +27 11 403 1488, 
e-mail: johnb@article19.org.za  or

Célestine Nkulu, Africa Project Officer, e-mail: celestine@article19.org.za

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.