Using film to fight GBV

Many at times it is deemed a taboo for women to talk about their sexuality. This has been the root cause of a lot of ignorance for many who do not get the platform or opportunity to ask or disclose issues related to their sexual health and abuses.

Following the need to raise awareness on sexual violence, Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) conducted the screening of Vagina Monologues Africa, an international episodic play, which was written by Eve Ensler in New York and adopted by Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo with both women and men in attendance.

The screenplay, Vagina Monologues Africa consists of several monologues that explore issues that women deal with on a day-to-day basis, particularly those of sexual, emotional and physical abuse.

A lot of gender-based violence issues were raised which include child marriages, rape and female genital mutilation issues. Women’s experiences were shared some of which are a violation from traditional practices which they are forced to conform to.

Vagina Monologues Africa exposed how women resort to unsafe methods of “augmentations” on their private parts with the hope of pleasuring their partners. Through the discussions, women highlighted some of the effects that they may succumb to as a result of using herbs which later exposes them to diseases such as cervical cancer.

Speaking during the screening of Vagina Monologues Africa, one young lady raised her concern on the need for the societies to unlearn some things that they have normalized like shaming women who have left their marriages and returned home, which is the reason why women stay in abusive marriages.

Men who were in attendance highlighted that Vagina Monologues Africa enlightened them on some of the things that they were ignorant of related to the sexual health of women. Men were encouraged to be considerate even in marriages and should not feel entitled to make unnecessary demands from their wives.

The main agenda of exposing different forms of gender-based violence was addressed and the issues deemed a taboo for women to talk about were brought out.