When spectators act: using theatre techniques to address gender-based discrimination

It may be tenuous, unconscious, even unnoticeable, but it often happens precisely because of these circumstances. The gender-based discrimination can take multiple forms and perpetuate unequal power relations. Reduced to their condition, those who experience gender-based discrimination may not fully realize what is happening to them. This is when observers can step in.

When developing his Theatre of the Oppressed methodology in the 1970s, the Brazilian drama theorist Augusto Boal wanted to involve the audience in the problem solving. Among his techniques is the Forum Theatre: by watching the misery and inequity of the oppressed, spectators would raise their voices to identify the wrongdoings and come up with ideas and possible solutions. The play turns into a debate – in other words, the theatre becomes a forum for discussion.

Marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) hosted an online learning event on 2 December 2021 adopting the Forum Theatre technique to spotlight common oppressive actions that may eventually lead to gender-based violence (GBV). The session was organized within the framework of the European Union-funded Joint Programme on Gender Transformative Approaches for Food Security and Nutrition (JP GTA), which is being implemented by the three United Nations Rome-based Agencies (RBAs) – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Unconscious gender bias at the workplace and at home

The facilitator Olivier Malcor introduces the session and is followed by his colleague Claudia Signoretti. But every time Claudia attempts to articulate an idea, Olivier will interrupt her to present his own perspective instead. Claudia gets upset and starts faltering. “You are getting emotional,” says Olivier. Intrigued, the audience reacts against him: “Stop interrupting her. Let her talk.” To defend himself, Olivier responds he is just trying to support Claudia’s reasoning. “What if she was a male colleague? Would you have behaved the same way?”, ask a few attendees who see there is a clear gender-based discrimination.

What initially appeared to be the formal introduction of a workshop was actually a call for action. Claudia and Olivier were both acting to provoke the audience using the Invisible Theatre technique that is not immediately recognizable. The heated debate in Claudia’s defence demonstrated how common subtle attitudes by men and women may be in fact unconscious gender biases.

Following the initial segment of the discussion, the facilitators Claudia and Olivier took on the roles of the characters Anna and Jo’, respectively, this time in a pre-announced theatrical play.

Anna is continuously subjugated by Jo’, her husband, on day-to-day affairs, like when she is at the office. “I called you several times! Why didn’t you answer the phone? Who are you with? Turn on your camera and show me who is around there,” says Jo’ in an aggressive tone. “I will pick you up at work. You’d better be down at 6 pm sharp, otherwise I will go up to your office to bring you down.”

Jo’s hostile behaviour disturbs Anna, who gets agitated and loses focus. Stop! The stage is now open to the audience. The selected group of 40 attendees is invited to discuss the action, comment about the character they felt was oppressed, struggling or lacking power, and propose alternative solutions by taking part in the performance. Back to theatrical action, a spectator joins the office scene to play the role of Anna’s colleague: “Anna, are you okay? I couldn’t help to notice your discomfort. How are you feeling?”

The audience applauded the empathy shown by Anna’s colleague. “She made Anna feel comfortable, without judgments,” commented one spectator. “When asked by the actor playing her colleague about her feelings, Anna realizes that Jo’s behaviour is not normal. The change in the status quo needs to come from Anna,” said another attendee. Anna herself appreciated it: “My colleague helped me become aware of what was happening to me.”

A safe and creative way to test solutions

This was one of the first attempts to apply the Theatre of the Oppressed in an online session. This IFAD-led JP GTA initiative aimed to raise awareness about unconscious gender bias and its impact in the workplace, field operations and daily life.

“In a dynamic and interactive way, the session offered the possibility to recognize power dynamics where GBV could occur or be reinforced,” says Ndaya Beltchika, IFAD’s Lead Technical Specialist for Gender, Targeting and Social Inclusion. “The Theatre-Forum contributes to identifying possible and concrete ways of interventions for GBV prevention, mitigation and response; and helps test out solutions for problematic situations in a safe and creative environment, before acting them out in the daily life.”

This innovative drama-debate event was largely appraised by the participants. Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed was inspired by the Brazilian educator Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, a 1968 book that is considered one of the foundations of critical pedagogy.

“It is only when the oppressed find the oppressor out and become involved in the organized struggle for their liberation that they begin to believe in themselves. This discovery cannot be purely intellectual but must involve action; nor can it be limited to mere activism, but must include serious reflection: only then will it be a praxis,” said Paulo Freire in his masterpiece.

United to tackle the root causes of GBV

The use of theatrical debate is part of the JP GTA’s efforts to help the RBAs address discriminatory norms and promote an institutional culture free from negative unconscious gender bias, thereby fostering gender transformative change both at programming and organizational levels across the RBAs.

“Our fight against hunger must encompass a profound transformation in the ways people and societies deal with gender issues, including GBV,” says Hajnalka Petrics, the JP GTA Global Coordinator. “To be able to effectively challenge and change the discriminatory norms and other root causes of gender inequalities, the transformation has to start with ourselves, with the employees of the RBAs and their partners. Through the Joint Programme, the RBAs are working together to systematize and upscale approaches that can help us understand our own gender biases and the most elemental causes of gender inequalities, including those that drive GBV.”
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To learn more:

•    JP GTA website: https://www.fao.org/joint-programme-gender-transformative-approaches/
•    JP GTA flyer (in English): https://www.fao.org/publications/card/es/c/CB7065EN
•    JP GTA flyer (in Spanish): https://www.fao.org/publications/card/es/c/CB7065ES
Contacts:
•    Silvia Sperandini, IFAD Technical Advisory Committee Member, JP GTA: [email protected]
•    Hajnalka Petrics, Global Coordinator of the JP GTA: [email protected] 
•    JP GTA: [email protected]