By Karen Sugar | Executive Director
Kikopo Pa Mon Gulu.....Creating a Voice for Women in Gulu
5th Annual, September, 2012, Gulu, Uganda
To address the issue of gender inequality, violence, land rights, food security, HIV/AIDS and other issues facing women in northern Uganda, Women’s Global Empowerment Fund and Vac Net created and hosted a drama festival, Kikopo Pa Mon. Women in our Credit Plus program create original plays highlighting their stories using music, drama, and dance.
Performances focus on the issues of inequality, education inequity, HIV and violence. Last year the topic, chosen by participants, was land rights and property ownership. Women used the unique opportunity as a vehicle to directly speak to men and community leaders who were in attendance. Because the issues addressed are sensitive and can be difficult to discuss directly, using music, dance and drama offers a different way to communicate and provides
many other benefits, including maintaining and celebrating cultural traditions.
The competition provided a stigma-free environment in which to talk about sensitive subject matters; promoted unity and team building; and offered women the opportunity to be creative and innovative. The feedback for the event was overwhelmingly positive and created an excitement for Women’s Global and VacNet in the
community.
By encouraging the idea of traditional music, dance, and drama in the local language, the culture of the area would be preserved, and the relevance of these issues to the community would be elevated. Due to
the positive response and overwhelming success of the event, Women’s Global and VacNet will continue to host Kikopo Pa Mon annually.
In September, 2012, our 5th annual drama festival will be held. This is a vital program, enabling women to shift existing paradigms and conversations to challenge entrenched patriarchal notions and requiring their communities and leaders to listen and act. Please support this important and unique program.
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By karen sugar | executive director
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