Arts for Development, Masculinities and Gender in Malawi

Arts for Development, Masculinities and Gender in Malawi

von Zindaba Chisiza

This book looks at an arts-based project entitled ‚Brother2Brother: A Creative Gender Transformative Programme for Young Men in Malawi‘, which ran from August 2018 to June 2019, and consisted of using arts-based educational workshops, theatre, radio drama, and film, alongside outreach activities to interrogate identities, gender equality, sexuality and gender-violence. This study demonstrates how arts-based methodologies facilitated critical thinking among the core participants and wider groups of young people about conceptualisations of masculinity, social norms, gender violence, and sexual and reproductive health in Malawi. Ultimately, this book showcases how creative practice can promote the construction of alternative positive masculinities in young African men and facilitate dialogue among young people to create more gender-equitable societies.

This book looks at an arts-based project entitled ‚Brother2Brother: A Creative Gender Transformative Programme for Young Men in Malawi‘, which ran from August 2018 to June 2019, and consisted of using arts-based educational workshops, theatre, radio drama, and film, alongside outreach activities to interrogate identities, gender equality, sexuality and gender-violence. This study demonstrates how arts-based methodologies facilitated critical thinking among the core participants and wider groups of young people about conceptualisations of masculinity, social norms, gender violence, and sexual and reproductive health in Malawi. Ultimately, this book showcases how creative practice can promote the construction of alternative positive masculinities in young African men and facilitate dialogue among young people to create more gender-equitable societies.

Zindaba Chisiza is Associate Professor of Drama at the University of Malawi, Africa. His expertise lies in arts-based research, arts for development, and theatre for development. Zindaba’s research interests include male engagement, masculinities, gender transformative approaches, adolescent and youth mental health, sexual and reproductive health, youth political engagement, and community development. He is particularly interested in using arts-based methodologies to examine and address these topics, aiming to foster positive social change and empowerment within communities.

Highlights

• Uses an applied theatre case study to examine identities, gender, social norms, sexuality and gender violence in Malawi Explores the practical application of arts-based techniques in challenging gender norms and promotes healthy behaviours Provides a nuanced reflection on the strengths, limitations, and opportunities of utilising creative arts practices

Über den Autor

Zindaba Chisiza is Associate Professor of Drama at the University of Malawi, Africa. His expertise lies in arts-based research, arts for development, and theatre for development. Zindaba’s research interests include male engagement, masculinities, gender transformative approaches, adolescent and youth mental health, sexual and reproductive health, youth political engagement, and community development. He is particularly interested in using arts-based methodologies to examine and address these topics, aiming to foster positive social change and empowerment within communities.