Acting Out on Gender

This month, the Gender and Development Committee is putting out our newest toolkit as warranted from our theme contest, featuring ten lessons that will enable volunteers and their counterparts to work with communities on topics of Gender and Identity Development through the use of theatre, performance, and folklore.

Why Theatre? For many reasons, but just to name a few:

Theatre is extremely popular among youth here in Morocco. From regularly planned Spectacs (Talent Shows), to random outbursts of group singing and dancing, to constant skit-making, many of our youth love to perform. Theatre gives them another chance to do so. With combining something that our students love with a topic like Gender and Development, we can provide youth with a meaningful experience taken specifically from their interests. The goal of the toolkit definitely is not to “disguise” the topic of Gender and Development by engaging students in theatre to do so, but instead to show them the versatility and positivity by which one of their hobbies can be used.

Theatre and International Development have a lot in common. When the theories, practices, and purposes of theatre and acting are looked at, a lot of them have strong correlations with practices that can help not only the international development process, but the processes of community and empathy building and understanding. This toolkit specifically uses Community Participatory Theatre, a form of theatre used to encourage community engagement as a tool not only to create theatre, but to bring people in the community together to problem solve, and Theatre of the Oppressed, a form of theatre used to give those who may be unheard a voice through performance. Community Participatory Theatre specifically asks communities, “What do we have here?,” an important first question is any international development process, and Theatre of the Oppressed specifically seeks to make sure that all voices are heard when seeking response, even the ones that may be tough to locate. Aside from that, concepts of plot, character, obstacle, objective, body language, pantomime, and other theatre tools are learned and exercised within this toolkit with practical applications that can build self-esteem and intentional decision making within our youth here.

The two most widely spoken languages are not written… thusly, storytelling is beyond powerful. Darija and the Amazigh languages are the most widely spoken in Morocco, especially in the areas that Peace Corps Volunteers work. When we talk about literacy and its importance to one’s ability to seek and understand knowledge, the question gets turned on its head when even the languages that could be read most frequently in books, news, and the internet may not be understood by their readers, not from lack of knowledge, but simply speaking a different language. Theatre engages people in storytelling and introduces communities to the importance of verbal expression and human connection as a way to share roots, values, and experiences to help us grow together. Folklore is also used in this toolkit because it serves that exact function… it unites communities through fantastical stories to help uncover historic roots and values, encouraging us to seek ways to live them in our communities today.

The new Theatre Toolkit, GAD and Theatre: Acts of Equality, is in the process of being translated, but we will be putting out the first couple lessons soon, and in time, all ten for Peace Corps Volunteers, their counterparts, and Moroccans to be able to use. We are excited to see the impact that this toolkit is able to make on our communities.

Gender Advocate Training

GAD is excited to partner with two Moroccan associations to host the Gender Advocate Training in December 2014.

We are fully funded! The training will take place in about a month. Thank you for all your support!

International Day of the Girl in Essaouira

PCV Olivia fills us in about her work for International Day of the Girl Child. More information about Olivia's service is available on her blog. More resources on tackling issues around girls and education can be found on the GAD Resources page

The UN declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child two years ago in order to “recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.” Days dedicated to certain populations, causes, or movements serve as reminders to get informed and act but should not be left at that. Girls should be recognized, celebrated, and empowered everyday. 

Unfortunately, making gender equality a reality can be daunting. Challenges laced within societies and culture can seem impossible to overcome. Whole communities, men, women, boys and girls need to have the same mindset when it comes to empowering a gender who has been oppressed for so long and still struggles to gain footing in places all over the world. Often times “gender work” is labeled as a separate entity–relating only to women–but really gender work is present in all levels of development and without it, true development can never be achieved.

There is an abundant number of gender related resources worth utilizing and Girl Rising is one of them. Girl Rising is a global movement for girls’ education based primarily around a 2013 film that featured 9 girls and their stories of overcoming gender-based adversity in order to go to school. I unknowingly set out to do a Girl Rising screening the same week of the Day of the Girl and even more coincidentally, the week after the Nobel Peace Prize winner was announced.

Malala Yousafzai, is a Pakistani activist who was shot by the Taliban amidst her fight for female education and she is the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Malala’s photo and one of her quotes was projected on the large screen and as the first few girls entered the room, I overheard girls who came early to the event say how “Zwin”, beautiful, her quote was. Someone to admire, someone not all too different from them–a strong, young, muslim, a girl.

The event took shape after sharing the idea of doing a simple Girl Rising screening at Dar Souiri, a popular cultural center in Essaouira. After speaking with a counterpart, we set out make it an event rather than just a screening in the hopes that it would be the start to a deeper dialogue and further action. He expressed that many people would be on board with this and that involving as many people and associations as possible, the better.

Close to 200 women, girls, men, and boys came to the event. Aside from the film, girls from Essaouira were the vocal point of the event. Bnat Haddyate Sourite, a group of young female Sufi musicians performed at the start of the event and a short play and song on the importance of educating girls done by Essaouira’s English ACCESS program. The event ended with a forum discussion including three female students (two high school and one approaching her first year in university), one physical education teacher, the director of Association Bayti Essaouira, and president of Association Argania.

Seeing girls of Essaouira, many of them girls I have grown close with, on stage performing and/or speaking in front of a large audience was something special. Siham Alahyane was a huge help the entire night–her English is phenomenal and she translated for me the entire night (stress and trying to speak Darija don’t mix well). It will be hard to forget one girl, Siham Lajila, who sat on the panel for the discussion portion of the event. Earlier in the night she came to me worried and nervous wanting to opt out. However, not only did she decide to stick with it but she was an absolute rockstar. She spoke with fire, the utmost confidence and conviction. After one panelist spoke, she confidently pulled the microphone in front of her expressing how angry she was that a conversation like this even has to exist. She spoke on how important education is and why it should not be a struggle for girls. She said she was sick of hearing “Hshuma”, shame on you, when the boy next to her never had to hear it.

During the discussion between the audience and the panelists many points came up including lack of support from parents encouraging their daughters to be well educated, boys harassing girls on school grounds and the lack of respect given to girls opinions inside the classroom. Of course it was made aware that not all parents, teachers and boys are the same and that many of them are empowering the girls of Essaouira to not only stay in school but to continue onto university and the job market.

Once the event concluded, three teachers approached me insisting the Girl Rising film and discussion be shown in schools. The staff suggested we coordinate monthly conversations in Dar Souiri. Each girl on the panel and several in the audience who spoke wished for more discussion and events like this in the future.

The feedback for more events and discussions like this really shows that people of Essaouira want what is best for everyone in their community not just half the population. The support of people from multiple networks and fields is important considering, especially, that gender equality is across all people from all backgrounds and  in every community. We are committed to celebrating and fighting for the rights of girls everyday. 

IMD toolkit 2014 Playing to Your Strengths

Introducing a brand new GAD "Playing to Your Strengths" Toolkit for International Men's Day on November 19th! This toolkit is designed to encourage dialogue amongst the young men within your communities through sports and interactive discussion.

Host Mom and Counterpart

Charles serves in the North-Eastern region of Morocco and has written this article about his dynamic counterpart, his host mom.  She is a stellar example of a Moroccan woman who makes her community better through her daily hard work.  

I can always count on one person from my site texting me or calling at least once a week. Usually the contents of the message ask where I am and tell me to come to lunch or kaskrout.And she is not simply requesting my presence. She’s commanding me to come and I oblige. I would not have it any other because this person is my host mom and she is what makes my service in Peace Corps awesome.

Charles and Fatima during one of their educational sessions at the hospital

Fatima was the first person to quell any anxiety I had about my new assignment. For Morocco, she is the modern woman with the characteristics of being tough, being out-going, and being motivated. My host mom was the one that got me settled into the community immediately. Before I was even well rested from the day of travel, she gave me a tour of the town. Then registered me at the Gendarme and got a P.O. Box for me. When things went south for me, I could always count on her to get me back on my feet.

And I am not the only person she enjoys helping. Fatima is a leader of the community, from the women’s association to the hospital. This person never stops moving. Every Tuesday she will spend the entire afternoon at the hospital educating women about SIDA then providing tests. Among men leading associations here, she is on the forefront, always asserting herself. When my Dar Chbab had a summer camp for the first time in a long time, she immediately went into action organizing activities and recruiting youth. Fatima single-handedly saved the camp.

I wish there were more women in Morocco like my host mom. That is why I am excited that she will accompany me to the Gender Advocate Training in December. Already she has done a lot for me and her community. I cannot wait to see what the rest of service entails with her as my counterpart.

Second Annual Souss Girls' Soccer Camp

The second annual Souss Girls’ Soccer Camp was held June 22-28 in Taroudant, Morocco. AMJAD, a Moroccan women’s professional soccer team partnered with Peace Corps Volunteer, Tatiana Cary, as well as the local commune and various community associations to once again bring this amazing girls soccer camp to the southern region of Morocco. Tatiana who entered Peace Corps with a strong soccer background and passion for the sport had hopes of finding a way to incorporate girls’ soccer into her service. After hearing about last year’s Souss Girls’ Soccer Camp in Temsia she asked Kirsten Zeiter and John DeBellis to introduce her to the AMJAD soccer team. AMJAD’s enthusiasm after last year’s camp in Temsia was a driving force to recreate this project on their home turf in Taroudant. Tatiana began to meet with the AMJAD team in early January of 2014 to start brainstorming what this second camp would look like. A timeline was created over weekly meetings, where Tatiana really encouraged the AMJAD women to take ownership and help create the vision of what they wanted the camp to be. 

The camp was designed to encourage girls’ interest in sports and community engagement by fostering a safe and organized girls only camp where they could play soccer. Goals for the camp included improved soccer skills, self-confidence, healthy nutrition practices, exercise habits and lifestyle choices. The professional female athletes hoped to model and teach the connection between healthy life choices and pursuing sports goals, while demonstrating a commitment to adopting an overall healthy lifestyle. 

For many of the young girls, this camp was the first opportunity of its kind. This year’s camp in Taroudant hosted close to 45 girls from the Souss-Massa region which included: Taroudant, Ouled Teima, Gififat, Ouled Dahou, Sbt Igerdane, Talouine and Akka. A vision for the camp was to have many different towns represented as a way for girls interested in sports and soccer to find camaraderie in playing with girls from other towns.  Although these communities vary in size and resources, they all share an absence of opportunities for girls to engage in education and development activities. This camp has become a means for boosting girls development and empowerment through soccer.

The week was filled with all sorts of soccer related activity including morning soccer practice where the girls were divided into teams blending regions and ages. These morning sessions included stretches, warm-ups, drills and scrimmages. The afternoon sessions included health workshops, one focusing on nutrition and how to be a healthy athlete and the second on first aid, the Heimlich maneuver and CPR. The girls also received three soccer workshops focusing on technical skills, rules, regulations, AMJAD and playing techniques. The evening activities were led by a local group of counselors that did games, a small talent show, singing, dancing and on one night they led a tour of Taroudant. Thanks to the timing of the camp the girls were also able to watch the United States versus Germany World Cup Game one afternoon at a local cafe. Another unexpected event that coincided with a scheduled beach trip was the region wide Souss Championship Game. On Tuesday, June 24, the camp ventured to Taghazout to enjoy a morning at the beach complete with singing, drumming, swimming and beach soccer. The girls then enjoyed a picnic lunch in an Agadir garden and then it was on to Ait Melloul for AMJAD’s championship game. The counselors and Peace Corps volunteers helped the girls to make signs and lead them in cheers throughout the game. It was an incredible opportunity for the girls attending the camp to see their counselors, the professional women’s team, play to a victory of 3-1 over their opponent. Afterwards the AMJAD players and campers alike enjoyed photos with the trophy and celebrated their victory. The week rounded out with a tournament among the girls’ teams and a very nice certificate ceremony where all who contributed to the camp were recognized. 

According to Tatiana, giving AMJAD the resources to be the agents of community development was the key to the success of this camp. Each of the AMJAD counselors played a unique role in the camp, carrying their own set of responsibilities that helped contribute to the larger whole. AMJAD was solely responsible for finding all of the community partners and associations that greatly contributed to the camp including the soccer stadium, the boarding school, the cultural center, counselors, logistical support, animators, and more. The involvement of various community partners and associations provided a way for the community to be invested in and part of the camp, a truly incredible outpouring of Moroccan volunteers. Running a second Souss Girls’ Soccer Camp in a new location has helped to prove that this model works and can be successful in different locations. The publicity that this camp has generated across the region has sparked the interest of other towns to host in the years to come, which will hopefully help this camp to become more easily replicable across Morocco.

Having girls play soccer challenges gender stereotypes the world over but especially here in Morocco where women’s sports are still lacking development and support. Whereas any PCV could teach soccer skills this camp allowed young Moroccan girls to see their older Moroccan peers as leaders, professionals and successful soccer players. A PCV who participated at the camp noted how special it was for these young girls to watch the professional women play as well as interact with them. While watching the AMJAD professional championship game she was flooded with memories from her own experience growing up playing soccer in the states and the influence that the U.S. women’s national team had on her as a youth. She hoped that the girls’ experience at camp would have that kind of positive impact on them and their future development. Providing this type of opportunity for the campers to see the women’s professional team not only play, but be recognized and respected for their hard work and achievements during the championship match was an unexpected highlight of the camp. This type of role modeling for the younger girls by the AMJAD players is something that this camp hopes to continue to foster through future camps. AMJAD hopes to continue hosting and participating in future girls’ soccer camps not only in the Souss region but throughout Morocco.

Camp GLOW: Empowerment through Expression

Camp GLOW: Empowerment through Expression was a three-day intensive GLOW camp for girls of Taroudant and the surrounding villages. The camp was held from June 16th-18th, funded by the Small Project Assistance grant, and was attended by approximately thirty girls from middle school to university. The camp focused on themes such as gender equality and positive self-esteem, women as leaders, goal setting, SIDA and female reproductive health, and the environment. Each attendee learned how these themes are pertinent to their lives as women and as community members.

Each theme was taught through workshops and followed by an expression activity. For example, a trained Moroccan counterpart led an IYF session on gender and stereotypes, which was followed by an activity in which the girls designed hands of Fatima with colors that were assigned to positive attributes they self-identified with. Other expression activities included a recycled item fashion show, self-portraits in which the girls envisioned themselves as leaders, and friendship bracelets.

Other sessions included personal fitness and how to maintain a workout plan during Ramadan led by Tatiana Cary, an entrepreneurship workshop complete with business model posters led by Rebecca Levy, and goal setting led by Johanna Boyle, in which campers defined their goals and the steps they will use to reach them. While these workshops highlight these PCVs' prowess, these girls were tremendous in their ability to help girls with any activity no matter how artistically complicated and fill spare time with new lessons that were not initially prepared for the camp.

While these PCVs contributed to the benefits Camp GLOW had on the girls of Taroudant, the success of this project would not have been possible were it not for the contribution of our community members. We partnered with the Taroudant Nedi Neswi who provided lunch and kaskrut for the girls, helping to retain attendance of girls who traveled in order to participate in the camp. We also had help from our counterpart and friend, Mounia. From neighbors who let us use supplies to turn the Dar Chebab into a gym to others who provided time and expertise, a thank you is not enough. We hope to hold another session this fall with new programming for the girls who attended Camp GLOW and their friends.