FORUM THEATRE NAIROBI

MY DRESS IS MY CHOICE is a forum theatre piece created for the inhabitants of the Mathare, Huruma and Kariobangi Slums in Nairobi. It responds to the recent surge in public violence against women based on their choice of clothing. The most shocking , though by no means the only recent event involved a group of men publicly stripping five women in the city center of Nairobi, allegedly to punish them for their inappropriate attire (Mini skirts). Passers-chose not to intervene and there was no criminal prosecution of the attackers.

 

As a cell phone video of the attack went vira, female dress code became an increasingly emotional topic of conversation. Whilst a mothers organisation launched a protest march attended by thousands, the incidents of stripping have not ceased.

 

Sexual violence is widespread in Kenya. A 2010 national

surveyindicated that 32% of girls experienced sexual violence

before becoming adults. Residents of slum areas frequently

have a lesser access to education and therefore a lesser

knowledge and ability to exercise their democratic rights.

Young women from these communities are particularly

vulnerable to male violence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forum theatre is based on the idea that a society can only solve its problems from within. The solutions the people themselves suggest are those they can implement.

 

MY DRESS IS MY CHOICE was  created for the inhabitants of the Mathare, Huruma and Kariobangi Slums in Nairobi and  performed in the Mathare North Social Hall. - Forum theatre aims to encourage dialogue, foster freedom of speech and to create a space where societal issues can jointly be examined.

 

MY DRESS IS MY CHOICE in particular aimed to:

• Offer women a platform to discuss the events

• Inform them of means to fight discrimination

• Help all involved understand societal change

• Improve communication between men and women

• Point out the consequences (legal and personal) of bullying