Between laughter and tears: The magic of Forum Theater as a catalyst for change

In the vibrant Hammabangou neighborhood of Timbuktu, the sun was slowly setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The laughter and whispers of children filled the air, while adults took their seats on makeshift benches, eager to witness the forum theater performance. Among the crowd was Ms. Aminata Garba, Head of the Local Service for the Promotion of Women, Children, and Families in the Timbuktu circle. Her flowing dress moved with purpose—a symbol of strength and determination—as she mingled with the spectators.

Aminata has dedicated her life to defending the rights of women and children in this region affected by insecurity. the challenges were immense, but she firmly believed in the possibility of change. The forum theater initiative she launched had become a powerful tool for raising community awareness.

Forum theater is an interactive method where actors perform scenes that reflect real social issues. Audience members are invited to engage, discuss, and even join the actors on stage to propose or act out solutions. The goal is to raise awareness while offering everyone a chance to reflect and express themselves. Each performance addresses urgent issues such as school dropout among girls, gender-based violence, and harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage.

That evening, the themes ranged from girls leaving school to gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and early marriages. Through this original format, Aminata was planting seeds of change. She deeply believed that by equipping communities with tools for reflection and constructive dialogue, a fairer and more equitable future could take root in a region marked by instability and daily challenges.

“Since we launched this initiative, I’ve witnessed genuine enthusiasm,” she confided to a young woman seated next to her. “communities are becoming more aware of their rights and the consequences of their choices.” faces around her were attentive, captivated by the actors who, through powerful scenes, portrayed the struggles and hopes of the community.

That night’s play followed the story of a young girl, Aïcha*, forced to leave school for an arranged marriage, while her teacher fought to convince her parents that a child’s rightful place is in school—not in marriage. Laughter mixed with tears, and with each line, audience members recognized pieces of their own lives in the scenes before them. Aminata watched with pride. She knew that forum theater was far more than entertainment—it was a catalyst for awareness and social transformation.

After the performance, a debate ensued. Inspired, participants began to speak up. An elderly man stood, his voice trembling but firm: “I always thought marrying my daughters off young was the right thing to do. But now I see that I was stealing their future.” Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. Aminata smiled, her heart beating in rhythm with the hope blooming around her.

“Thanks to the NAFAMA programme, we’ve touched thousands of lives,” Aminata explained, her voice ringing with conviction. “We raise awareness among families and promote essential practices such as exclusive breastfeeding, young child nutrition, and anemia prevention. Together, we contribute to the wellbeing and development of our communities.”

In 2024, with funding from the NAFAMA programme, 15,329 people (1,905 girls, 1,863 boys, 4,553 men, and 7,008 women) were sensitized on harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage, and on the importance of girls’ education and school retention. These sessions were delivered through participatory mass communication led by adolescents and youth using forum theater.

Additionally, 1,858 adolescent girls and young women —survivors of gender-based violence, including FGM and child marriage—were referred to psychosocial support services or were able to avoid such practices in the circles of Timbuktu, Niafunké, and Diré. This was made possible thanks to the skills acquired and actions undertaken by the 36 “awakening committees” established to prevent and respond to GBV. These initiatives not only raised community awareness of the impacts of harmful practices but also helped train local ambassadors committed to their eradication in areas targeted by the NAFAMA programme.

As The discussions continued, Aminata knew that every word spoken and every mind awakened was a victory. She stood there in the heart of Timbuktu, surrounded by people who shared her vision of a better future. forum theater was not just a performance—it was a promise of change, a light in the darkness. and thanks to women like her, hope shone brighter than ever.