Breaking the biases through interactive play (চক্র ভাঙার গান )

Abstract

Forum theatre, also known as theatre for development, or theatre of the oppressed, was created with the aim of assisting audiences in identifying their "internal oppressions" so that they could begin to overcome them. In forum theatre events, the audience is shown a short play in which a central character (protagonist) faces oppression, or an impediment that he or she is unable to overcome. The topics are usually of direct interest to the audience, and are frequently based on common life experiences. Gender-based violence (GBV), discrimination at the family level, dowry, power dynamics, and other issues are regularly addressed through forum theatre. One of the fundamental purposes of the tool is to stimulate debate and, more crucially, to promote learning and alter behavior. The IDEA project organized 72 shows of forum theatre from mid-2021 to early 2022, focusing on women’s access to finance, women’s role in decision-making, women’s group membership and gender equity in different parts of northwestern Bangladesh and reached about30, 000 people. Considering the effectiveness of forum theatre, the project have film the performance of forum theatre. This recorded video material will serve as a record of the project's progress, as well as a learning tool for any future forum theatre initiatives.