Empowering voices, inspiring change
Theatre Wallay has been actively involved in Theatre for Social Change projects, using the power of creative expression to spark dialogue, raise awareness, and empower communities on critical social issues.
Theatre Wallay has long believed in theatre’s potential as a tool for empowerment and social transformation. Through collaborations with local and international organizations, the group has used theatrical performances, workshops, and street theatre to address pressing social concerns, particularly those related to marginalized communities. It has performed plays on various social issues including Gender-Based Violence (GBV), girls’ education, sexual harassment at workplace, health and hygiene, child protection, human trafficking and illegal migration, peace and tolerance, environmental issues, and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
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Some of the Recent Projects – Theater for Social Change
Since 2005, Theatre Wallay has conceived and executed numerous projects aimed at raising awareness on a variety of issues. While the full list is extensive, here we highlight some of the key initiatives undertaken in the past decade.atre Wallay has conceived and executed many projects to raise awareness on various issues since 2005. The complete list is a little too long, but here we share some key projects implemented in the last 10 years.
Training Youth on Theater for Social Change
Theatre Wallay, with support from the School of Leadership Foundation and UNFPA, recently conducted an impactful training program at Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan and the University of Peshawar. This initiative, focused on script development and theater techniques, aimed to empower students to create and perform plays that shed light on critical social issues such as gender-based violence (GBV) and child marriages.
Over several weeks, experts from Theatre Wallay worked closely with students, guiding them through the process of developing narratives and translating these into powerful stage performances. The training culminated in two performances in Peshawar and four in Multan, each followed by interactive discussions with the audience, sparking meaningful conversations about the issues at hand.
Hifazat – Raising Awareness about GBV, Child Marriages and SRHR
Theatre Wallay developed a play ‘Baat Karo Bhai Baat Karo’ to raise awareness about gender-based violence (GBV), child marriages, and sexual and reproductive health rights. The Theatre Wallay team organized 21 performances in 10 districts across Pakistan. The play focused on the need for ending the taboo status of the SRHR issues, and the need for addressing the issues of child marriages, and gender-based violence. Each performance was followed by a discussion with the audience.
Majboor Hum Ko Mat Kaho – A Play on Disability and Inclusion
Theatre Wallay developed a play ‘Majboor Hum Ko Mat Kaho’ to raise awareness about the issues faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the ways to include them in the mainstream activities. The play was performed in Islamabad and Peshawar – 5 Performances.
Many people in the audience could related with various characters in the play, and would tell their stories of dealing with PWDs in the post-performance discussions. They agreed that the PWDs were neglected in our society, and the need to pay attention to their plight – not only by the society in general but also by the government and policymakers in particular.
Feminism Apna Apna – International Women’s Day Celebration
Theatre Wallay developed a play on women’s issues titled ‘Feminism Apna Apna’ to commemorate International Women’s Day in Islamabad in March 2021. The play focused on various nuances of feminism, what it means for women from different strata of society.
Meri Mehfooz Dunya – A Play on Child Protection
Theatre Wallay created a captivating puppet show focused on child protection, with nine performances held in Lahore, Peshawar, and Islamabad. Using a playful and engaging approach, the show educated children aged 8 to 15 on how to protect themselves from inappropriate behavior or harmful individuals. It highlighted key red flags to watch for and provided practical guidance on what actions to take when faced with potential danger, empowering young audiences with essential knowledge in a fun and accessible way.
Bhaago – A Play on Illegal Migration and Human Trafficking
Theatre Wallay developed and performed a play ‘Bhaago’ on illegal migration, and performed it in Gujranwala, Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin – 3 Performances in each city. The performances deeply moved audiences, many of whom related personally to the stories being told. Some shared their own experiences of failed attempts at illegal migration, expressing gratitude for having made it back to their hometowns alive. Sadly, they also recounted the tragic fate of friends who weren’t as fortunate.
Hum Drakht Bachanay Niklay Hain – A play on conserving water and tree plantation
Theatre Wallay developed a street play titled Hum Drakht Bachanay Niklay Hain and performed it in various markets across Islamabad. Following each performance, the team engaged the audience in meaningful discussions. The play centered on the importance of water conservation, vividly depicting a future where water scarcity is ignored. It also highlighted the crucial role trees play in our ecosystem and daily lives, raising awareness about the devastating impact of losing our green cover. Through this play, Theatre Wallay effectively inspired audiences to reflect on their environmental responsibilities.
Dewar ke Us Paar – A play on tolerance and Peace
TW conducted workshops with school children from diverse backgrounds, promoting the idea of tolerance through theatre activities, and developed a play (adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ ‘The Butter Battle’) performed in Islamabad followed by an interactive discussion with children in the audience. The play was developed against the backdrop of intense violence being faced by society in the preceding years. There were ethnic and sectarian clashes and suicide blasts had become a norm rather than an exception. The initiative was very well received by the community, and described as the much-needed intervention by the community and local media.
Aitebaar – Training on Theater for Social Change in Peshawar
TW, in collaboration with Internews, Australia, trained a community theatre group consisting of young university students in Peshawar. Safeer Ullah Khan (Director, Theatre Wallay) provided an extensive 5-days training in basic theater techniques, script development, and performance management. In one year, the group performed 12 plays in 4 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The plays addressed the issues of gender-based violence, child marriages, child sexual abuse, and girls’ education.