Women’s Global Empowerment Fund respectfully requests $1,000 to support our 8th Annual Drama Festival, to be held on October 3rd, 2015 in northern Uganda. The annual festival addresses the issues of gender inequality, violence, land rights, food security, HIV/AIDS and other issues facing women in northern Uganda. As part of WGEF’s drama competition, Kikopo Pa Mon, women in our Credit Plus program create original plays highlighting their stories using music, drama, and dance. Each year, participants choose the theme. Past themes have addressed equality, educating girls, land and property rights for women, domestic violence, and women as a force for peace, security, and democracy. Women use the unique opportunity as a vehicle to directly speak to the men and community leaders who are in attendance. Because the issues addressed are sensitive and can be difficult to discuss directly, using music, dance and drama offers a different way to communicate while providing many other benefits including maintaining and celebrating cultural traditions. The competition provides a stigma-free environment in which to talk about sensitive subject matters; it promotes unity and team building, elevates women’s voices, and offers the opportunity to be creative and innovative.

The beneficiaries of this project are women in the northern region of Uganda, women who are rebuilding and recovering their lives and communities after more than 25 years of violent conflict. The experiences of their past are as unique and varied as the women themselves, many are formerly abducted, child soldiers, or sex slaves. Most have experienced horrific sexual terrorism and others have lost their entire family. They all face the challenges of poverty and are working hard, committed to creating a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their communities.