Circus Zambia sets the stage for social change on Lake Tanganyika

Bangkok – Using the power of performance, a circus troupe is sparking social change and uplifting women in Zambian fishing communities on Lake Tanganyika. Their unique approach took centre stage at a recent global conference on gender in fisheries and aquaculture.

"I work on theater for development and I also do circus," said Mercy Kambulu, at the 9th Global Conference on Gender in Fisheries and Aquaculture (GAF9) in Bangkok, where she helped lead an interactive session on the power of participatory theatre in driving social change.

Kambulu is a lead facilitator and performer at Circus Zambia, a Lusaka-based social circus that entertains global audiences and runs programmes supporting young people from marginalized communities.

GAF9 brought together global experts to discuss gender equality and technical approaches to integrating gender perspectives in fisheries and aquaculture. Participants explored the challenges of women in the sector, Kambulu explained, adding that Circus Zambia is bringing this approach to Lake Tanganyika to help Zambian fishing villages address gender-based violence.

"Circus Zambia is supporting us to empower fishing communities by creating safe spaces to talk about the challenges people face and work together to find solutions," said Masiliso Phiri, National Professional Officer of the global aquatic value chain development programme FISH4ACP in Zambia.

FISH4ACP, an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) implemented by FAO with funding from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), works to improve the small pelagics value chain on the Zambian shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Lake Tanganyika provides a vital source of food and income for millions of people, but fishing can be a tough way for women to earn a living. Research by FISH4ACP found that many women and girls in fish processing and trade struggle to obtain fish for their businesses.

At the same time, traditional gender roles restrict them from fishing themselves. This causes some women and girls to resort to exchanging sex for fish to sustain their livelihoods, especially when fish availability is low and competition is high.

Before coming to the conference in Bangkok, Kambulu visited several Zambian fishing villages on Lake Tanganyika to gain a deeper understanding of the struggles women face, and to gather material for a theatre performance.

"On my next visit, we'll perform a play about the problems in the community," Kambulu said, explaining that women, men, and community leaders alike will be invited to attend.

They will be encouraged to reflect on what they've seen and come up with their own solutions. As Kambulu describes, this is how Circus Zambia uses theatre to openly discuss gender inequality.

"Once they give us solutions, we’ll come up with another play,” Kambulu said, explaining that Circus Zambia will return to the villages for a second show. "It will be a play that talks about solutions and how they can make life in the community better."

"Participatory theater is a great way to get people involved because it doesn't really look like something that's going to be difficult or unpleasant to engage in,” said Jennifer Gee, gender lead of FAO's Fisheries and Aquaculture division who facilitated the session on participatory theatre at GAF9, adding: “But it is actually challenging harmful norms, making a safe space where people can have conversations.”

Gee went on to explain the consequences of fish for sex, noting how it exposes women and girls to child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and health risks such as HIV. To address these issues, she emphasized the need for a gender-transformative approach.

"The work on gender is so important, because if we don't recognize the different roles and the power imbalances that exist between men and women, the interventions that we're proposing really risk reinforcing these inequalities and missing opportunities for achieving better livelihoods and equality," Gee said.

"By raising awareness on gender inequality and inspiring collective action, Circus Zambia is building a brighter future for women in Zambian fishing villages," concluded FISH4ACP’s lead in Zambia, Masiliso Phiri. "This is key to achieve our goal of strengthening the small pelagics value chain on which they depend for their food and livelihoods.”