11/05/2026
Theatre with a purpose!
Last week, on 8th May 2026, the Barefeet Young African Leaders Academy (YALA) participants took Interactive Theatre for Justice (ITJ) to the communities of Kalikiliki and Mtendere, using performance as a tool for education, dialogue, and change.
Through powerful and engaging performances, participants addressed the growing issue of illegal and unsafe abortions, challenging misconceptions and encouraging communities to seek proper medical care from certified health professionals.
The project also included two Legislative Theatre performances, creating space for community members to not only watch the stories unfold, but also participate in conversations around real-life challenges affecting young people today.
This initiative was inspired by a transformative 10-day regional training in Malawi facilitated by Theatre for a Change, Malawi , where two Barefeet participants joined young leaders from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Through the programme, participants were trained in Theatre for a Change’s unique methodologies, using Interactive Theatre for Justice (ITJ) and Legislative Theatre (LT) as powerful tools for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocacy.
And now, they’ve brought that knowledge back home, turning learning into action and using theatre to spark important conversations within their own communities.