To enhance the impact of advocacy programmes, 30 members of the Youth Peer Education Network (Y-PEER) from colleges across the country completed a five-day training on theatre-based drama in Thimphu. The Ministry of Education and Skills Development, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund, introduced theatre-based techniques by moving away from the traditional awareness methods. The training concluded on 13th December.
Y-PEER is a global network of young people advocating for issues such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and social development.
Over the past week, participants engaged in both theoretical and hands-on sessions to learn using role-play and storytelling to inspire social change.
The training focused on addressing critical issues such as gender-based violence, stigma and discrimination, among others.
“Their presentation today shows that they are capable of addressing social issues using theatre-based techniques, which involve identifying the topic, creating the story, and then the backstory of each character and the objective of the play. They will be dealing with the knowledge, behaviour, and attitude,” said Lina Attel, director general of the National Centre for Culture and Arts, Jordan.
The participants said the training equipped them to address real-life challenges in their communities.
“We have gained a lot of insightful techniques in the last 5-day training. Now, I would like to create a group among the participants here and impart the knowledge to other youths who are interested in learning about it. We will also create role-plays and create awareness,” said Chencho Wangdi, a participant from Gedu College of Business Studies.
“This kind of training is very important for youths. In this 21st century, more issues of early marriage, domestic violence and discrimination are rampant. If we can involve more youths in creating awareness through such programmes, I think these issues can be reduced,” said Kinley Wangchuk, a participant from the College of Zorig Chusum, Trashi Yangtse.
“Theatre-based training is very different, mostly because it taught us a lot about expression and connection on how to connect with the audience. I would like to encourage all the youths to take up such training as it is very beneficial and important too,” said Sonam Tshomo, a participant from the College of Natural Resources, Punakha.
The Ministry of Education and Skills Development plans to expand such training to more youths in the future.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Sonam Pem
