Mobile theatre performance addresses violence against female migrants

16 Days of Activism to end violence against women and girls

Vose, Tajikistan– On December 1st, IOM organised a mobile theatre that was held in Vose, Khatlon region for the leaders of jamoats and mahallas, state representatives, and local people. The event was devoted to 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls under the UNITE! campaign.

When women migrate, communities of origin and extended families can hold and circulate harmful views on migrant women and perpetuate negative stereotypes, opening them up to issues of domestic violence when they return home.

The performance, supported by the public organization “Women Lawyers for Development”, addressed the need to change existing harmful views and attitudes held towards female migrants by communities of origin, and touched on domestic violence faced by female migrants.

In order to ensure the full active engagement of audience members two rounds of discussion were conducted after the performance; one on the theatrical performance and the themes of domestic violence against female migrants; and the second primarily aimed at jamoat and mahalla leaders to discuss solutions to domestic violence and plans for social and behavior change communication (SBCC) campaigns.

The general public expressed their enjoyment of the performance and actively engaged in the follow up discussions, while all leaders expressed their willingness to cooperate with IOM and “Women Lawyers for Development” to change the negative beliefs and attitudes of their respective communities towards women affected by migration.

This event was funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the regional project “Protection of vulnerable migrants with special emphasis on empowering women in the context of migration in Central Asia”.