Lilongwe-based theatre outfit, Paragon Arts continues to take post-abortion information to communities across the country using theatre with an aim of sparking debate.
After conducting a number of outings in Lilongwe including training creatives and other stakeholders, Paragon Arts came down to Blantyre holding mob performances before staging Shattered Silence in partnership with YDC Theatre at Alliance Francaise de Blantyre on Tuesday.
The production – Shattered Silence tackles post abortion issues artistically and engaged the audience at will.
The performance attracted several people including traditional leaders, police, health officials and actors and actresses, who debated at length on issues to do with abortion.
This is a multifaceted and sensitive issue in the country, often surrounded in secrecy and stigma.
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Some of the notable faces during the interaction included veteran filmmaker Shemu Joyah and actor and filmmaker Flora Suya.
Paragon Arts Director Philmon Kuipa said after the production and the discussion that they want to use theatre to reach out to people and encourage them to seek help.
“The audience was open enough to share ideas. The idea is to share messages to communities on the importance of taking care of someone who has undergone unsafe abortion in their respective communities,” Kuipa said.
He said through their outings, they will continue to use interactive theatre to raise awareness and spark conversations about post-abortion care.
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Paragon Arts’ post abortion project was launched in November last year and aims to educate people about the importance of seeking medical care after abortion.
During the event, cartoonist James Kazembe famed for the Amtchona cartoon was also part of the Shuttered Silence interactive theatre where he presented a project titled Amtchona for Health.
Kazembe said he is using Amtchona cartoon to educate the masses on the dangers of tobacco and promote harm reduction.
“Amtchona for Health aims to utilise the popular comic book character Amtchona, to disseminate evidence-based information on tobacco harm reduction in a humorous yet impactful way,” he said.
He said he was happy to work with Paragon Arts in the cause.
“As a country, we need to know that there are safer alternatives to smoking. So, Amtchona is now on a mission to spread messages on this and I should also say it here that I will be coming out with a comic book,” Kazembe said.
He said Amtchona for Health project will take the character to various platforms, including festivals, community gatherings and other events where he will interact with audiences and share vital information on tobacco harm reduction.