Using theatre to help transform mindsets around power and gender relations

The CGIAR Initiative on Low-Emission Food Systems (Mitigate+) Living Lab for People (PDF, 1.3 MB), hosted in Nandi County by the Kaimosi Agricultural Training Centre, aims to provide an inclusive and diverse space for people to design, test, demonstrate and advance innovations that support low-emissions development. A gender-blind approach to innovation development and dissemination within a Living Lab, despite being a participatory approach, may intensify existing inequalities, as women's needs and perspectives will be overlooked. Therefore, Mitigate+ did a study examining women’s empowerment and climate resilience (June/July 2024) that aimed to contribute to women’s empowerment and gender equality within the Living Lab for People framework.

Gender norms remain restrictive in Nandi County, Kenya, with cultural roles assigned to women and men that are deeply engrained and still taught to girls and boys. As a result, topics of women’s empowerment and gender norms are sensitive—they are not topics everyone is comfortable discussing and sometimes they are met with outright resistance.

However, a workshop with farmers; and government, NGO, cooperative and university stakeholders from Nandi County did not follow the average program filled with presentations, questions and answers. Instead, a Nairobi-based theatre group—the Amani People’s Theatre—led participants through a series of skits held at the Kaimosi Agricultural Training Centre following a forum theatre approach.

The theatre group’s facilitation strategies of song, dance and games loosened up the atmosphere. The participants—initially skeptical and shy—grew ever more comfortable and engaged over the two days of the workshops (November 28–29, 2024).

Forum theatre invites people to change problematic situations

Forum theatre is a transformative methodology where the audience is shown a skit illustrating a problem affecting a group in their context, and then they can intervene and change the situation. This is followed by a facilitated reflection, which brings out the experiences and perceptions of the audience.

This innovative approach, rooted in Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, uses drama to address social issues by inviting participants to actively intervene in the narrative. In a typical session, this interactive process fosters empathy, critical thinking and collective problem-solving.

The first workshop day with 12 women and 14 men farmers included skits performed by six actors. Skit topics were identified from:

• the key results of a study collecting data for an adapted Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index
• qualitative data from focus group discussions and interviews carried out by the Low Emissions Food Systems Initiative (Mitigate+)

Topics covered decision-making in the household, women’s time use, climate change adaptation measures such as implementing agroforestry, climate change mitigation strategies of fuel-efficient cooking stoves and biogas, the acceptance of people with disabilities in the community, and the experience of a widowed woman who loses her land and bodily autonomy to her brother-in-law.

Day 1: community struggles of agency and decision-making

The day opened with an act showing a group of women gathered around a fire, lamenting the daily struggle to find firewood. The narrative wove its way into a neighbor’s home, where a fuel-efficient stove transformed the scene, saving time and resources. Ideas poured forth: one participant proposed mobilizing women’s groups to demonstrate these technologies. A young voice chimed in, “Why not involve schools and social media to spread the word?” The room buzzed with excitement—the key to adoption lies in farmers leading by example and showing tangible benefits, they agreed.

The day’s powerful last skit highlighted the struggles of a widow fighting to retain her land and physical autonomy from her brother-in-law—who by customary practice, inherits both. The tension on stage was palpable, echoing real-life injustices faced by many women. The discussion that followed illuminated the systemic barriers that the women and other disadvantaged groups often encounter.

Participants spoke of the need for inclusive policies and community-driven solutions, resolving to support people silenced by tradition. The post-performance discussion delved into how communities could support girls and boys equitably. “We must teach respect and shared responsibility at home,” one participant remarked. Others spoke of bridging generational divides and fostering dialogue.

The day concluded with a focus on unity and collaboration. Several participants agreed that they want to work toward fostering a community where resources are shared equitably, technologies are accessible to all, and every member has a voice in shaping the future.

Day 2: organizational struggles of women’s voice and leadership

On the second day a different group of stakeholders participated: 22 representatives from government and civil organizations (eight of whom were women). It focused on multistakeholder platforms and the challenge of achieving women’s leadership and voice in these institutional processes

Participants—several of whom are members of the Living Lab for People Advisory Board—came from Moi University, the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis, the Water Resources Agency, Horticultural Crops Directorate, Kenya Forest Service, and Livestock and Climate Officers of the County Government of Nandi. These board members provide governance, set priorities for implementing activities, and select innovation cases for financing locally led climate mitigation solutions.

First, we presented results from the WEAI study and the key activities carried out by the Living Lab for People in Nandi County. Then, the first skit was performed—it showed a meeting of a group, mostly women, who were planning climate adaptation and mitigation measures, including planting trees for soil and water protection. The group was constantly interrupted by a man who was pushing back on any plan of the women’s, demonstrating a culture where women are often voiceless.

Discussions after the skit highlighted these kinds of challenges for women leaders. Men participating claimed this showed that men should be given a leading role to avoid more troubles. Women said that changing norms around decision-making is a long-term process. Then group work—following the story of the tortoise and the hare—revealed gendered roles in labor, resource ownership and decision-making, stressing the need for participatory approaches and shared responsibilities for strengthening households and communities. The final scene of the story shows the tortoise helping the hare cross a river to the finish line.

Collective imagination about actions can inspire real change

By the end of both workshop days, the room was filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Through stories, dialogue and shared resolve, participants had taken the first steps toward tangible change, proving that solutions can begin with collective imagination.

This experience showcased how forum theatre can transform audiences from passive observers to active participants. The workshop exemplified how this technique can spark dialogue and inspire actionable solutions within communities:

• Engagement through stories
  Visual storytelling resonated deeply, enabling participants to relate to issues and envision solutions to real-world problems. By informally re-enacting these challenges and inviting audience participation, forum theatre provides a safe space to explore sensitive topics.
• Empowerment, empathy and action
  The approach empowers communities to test and discuss solutions in a simulated environment that encourages empathy for others. This practical rehearsal for reality can inspire participants to take concrete actions in their own lives.
• Building dialogue and consensus
  By engaging diverse participant perspectives following performed skits, forum theatre encourages dialogue that can lead to collective understanding and action-oriented discussions.

Theatre days inspired recommendations for implementing

The workshop topics addressed complex issues such as gender inequality, environmental challenges and the inclusion of marginalized groups, using a forum theatre approach. By fostering dialogue and encouraging actionable solutions, this method has the power to inspire transformative change in the communities of Nandi County.

Recommendations after the second day’s discussions included involving grassroots organizations in capacity building, and supporting intentional gender inclusion in climate action. The participants from the diverse institutions in Nandi agreed that collaborative efforts and sensitivity training are essential for sustainable food systems and environmental conservation, fostering awareness of gender equity, and leveraging community structures like churches and schools for advocacy.

While Mitigate+ came to an end in 2024, the recommendations will hopefully be able to be integrated within the Living Lab for People, and further community engagement approaches going forward, with adapted activities that enact more equitable participation and benefit.