“The focus is on child marriages, either forced or arranged, under the theme Too young to marry. The attitude of the campaign is that every child marriage is a forced one. The positive message that should echo throughout is that every child should be allowed to develop and reach their full potential,” said Raisedon Baya, spokesperson for the organisers.
“Our communities should be constantly reminded that girls are not brides. The focus of the campaign is not only on girls, although they are the major victims. Stories focused on boys are encouraged too. Plays for the competition should look at both the causes and effects of child marriage,” he said.
A collaboration between Plan Zimbabwe and Intwasa Arts Festival, the Plan High Schools Drama Competition targets secondary and high schools with the aim of cultivating a deep appreciation of both drama and child rights-related issues through participation in the creation and performances of short dramas that address children’s rights.
The competition prioritises participation, placing students and children at the centre of both the creative process and the resultant performances. Each year the competition focuses on a particular child-related theme. Participating schools have to balance drama skills and the theme in their presentations.
The Plan High Schools Drama Competition reaches to about 5,000 students every year.
Intwasa and Plan Zimbabwe are holding workshops at schools around the country ahead of the competition scheduled for September. Child marriages are rife in Zimbabwe with reports suggesting more than 20 percent of married women are under 18.
Post published in: Arts