Project – Participatory Community Theatre as a Behaviour-Change Intervention for Gender-Based Violence Prevention: An Evaluation of Selected Communities in Delta State.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Title: Participatory Community Theatre as a Behaviour-Change Intervention for Gender-Based Violence Prevention: An Evaluation of Selected Communities in Delta State

1.1 Background to the Study

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a major social, public health and human rights concern across the world. It refers to harmful acts directed at individuals because of their gender or acts that disproportionately affect people of a particular gender. Such violence may be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, economic or structural, and may occur within intimate relationships, families, workplaces, educational institutions and wider communities. It includes intimate partner violence, rape, sexual harassment, child marriage, female genital mutilation, harmful traditional practices, economic abuse and other forms of coercion or discrimination. The consequences extend beyond immediate physical injuries to include psychological trauma, social exclusion, reduced economic participation, family instability and long-term health complications. The World Health Organization (2021) identifies violence against women as a major public health problem and a violation of human rights, emphasising that prevention requires coordinated action addressing individual, relationship, community and societal factors. Similarly, the United Nations (1993), through the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, recognises violence against women as a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women. These perspectives demonstrate that GBV is not merely an individual or private matter but a social problem sustained by unequal power relations, harmful beliefs, discriminatory practices and institutional weaknesses. Its prevention therefore requires interventions that address both individual behaviour and the wider social conditions that permit violence to continue.

In Nigeria, gender-based violence remains a significant concern despite the existence of legal frameworks, advocacy campaigns and institutional mechanisms designed to protect individuals from abuse. The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey reported that 21 per cent of women aged 15–49 had experienced physical or sexual violence by any perpetrator, while 23 per cent of women who had ever been married or had an intimate partner had experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence from their current or most recent partner. The report also indicated that 58 per cent of women who had experienced physical or sexual violence had never sought help to stop the violence (National Population Commission [NPC] & Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, 2025). These figures reveal that violence remains a serious concern and that barriers to reporting and seeking assistance continue to affect survivors. The passage of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, represented an important legislative effort to prohibit violence in both public and private life and provide measures for the protection of victims. Nevertheless, the existence of legislation does not automatically eliminate the social beliefs, gender inequalities, economic dependence, fear, stigma and community pressures that may encourage or conceal abusive behaviour. The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women, 2024) also identifies continuing challenges in the implementation of gender equality and violence-prevention frameworks in Nigeria. This situation indicates the need for complementary community-level interventions capable of translating legal and policy commitments into changes in everyday attitudes, relationships and behaviour.

Delta State, located in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone, provides an important setting for examining community-based approaches to GBV prevention. Its communities are characterised by diverse ethnic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, with social relationships shaped by family structures, traditional institutions, religious organisations, community leadership and changing economic conditions. These institutions can play constructive roles in promoting respect, peaceful relationships and protection from violence; however, where harmful gender expectations, unequal decision-making power, victim-blaming and silence around abuse are tolerated, they may also make prevention more difficult. Gender-based violence can be concealed by the belief that intimate partner abuse is a private family matter, that certain forms of violence are culturally acceptable or that survivors should remain silent to protect family reputation. Such beliefs may discourage victims from seeking assistance and reduce the willingness of witnesses to intervene. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey provides national evidence of the continuing burden of violence and the limited help-seeking behaviour among some survivors (NPC & Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, 2025). However, national statistics alone cannot adequately explain how particular communities in Delta State understand GBV, how local social norms influence responses to abuse or how community members might participate in changing harmful practices. It is therefore necessary to examine GBV prevention within the specific social and cultural environments of selected Delta State communities, paying attention to the beliefs, relationships and community practices that influence the acceptance or rejection of violence.

Traditional GBV prevention approaches have often relied on public awareness campaigns, educational materials, workshops, advocacy activities, legislation and the provision of support services. These approaches remain important because they provide information about rights, legal protections, available services and the consequences of violence. However, awareness does not always translate into behavioural change. Individuals may know that domestic violence, sexual abuse and other forms of GBV are harmful while continuing to tolerate them because of social pressure, economic dependence, gender stereotypes, fear of retaliation or deeply established community expectations. The World Health Organization (2019), through its RESPECT Women framework, identifies several complementary strategies for preventing violence against women, including strengthening relationship skills, empowering women, ensuring services, reducing poverty, creating safe environments, preventing child and adolescent abuse, and transforming attitudes and beliefs. These strategies demonstrate that effective prevention must go beyond communicating information to addressing the social and behavioural factors that sustain violence. Similarly, Heise (2011), in developing an integrated ecological framework for understanding violence against women, explains how individual, relationship, community and societal influences interact to create conditions in which violence may occur. This suggests that interventions designed for community settings should engage people in examining their attitudes, discussing shared responsibilities and considering practical alternatives to violent behaviour. Participatory community theatre offers one possible approach because it can combine education, storytelling, dialogue and collective reflection within a familiar social environment.

Participatory community theatre is a form of applied performance in which community members are actively involved in identifying issues, developing dramatic representations, performing or responding to scenes and discussing possible solutions to problems affecting their lives. Unlike conventional theatre, where actors perform mainly for passive audiences, participatory theatre encourages the audience to become part of the learning and problem-solving process. It may involve community drama, interactive theatre, forum theatre, role-play, storytelling, improvisation and post-performance discussions. One of its important foundations is Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, which challenges the separation between performers and spectators and encourages people to become active participants in examining and transforming their social conditions (Boal, 1979). Freire (1970) similarly argues that meaningful social transformation requires dialogue, critical reflection and the active involvement of people in understanding the conditions that shape their lives. Applied to GBV prevention, participatory theatre can present recognisable situations involving domestic abuse, sexual harassment, coercive control, victim-blaming, harmful gender expectations and community silence. Community members can then question the actions of characters, suggest alternative responses, challenge harmful assumptions and consider how individuals and institutions can respond more responsibly. This approach is particularly relevant where sensitive issues may be difficult to discuss through formal lectures or conventional awareness campaigns. Through dramatic representation and collective discussion, community theatre can create opportunities for participants to reflect on familiar experiences without requiring survivors to disclose personal experiences publicly.

The potential of theatre as a behaviour-change intervention is supported by studies examining arts-based and participatory approaches to violence prevention. Magwegwe (2024), in a study of participatory forum theatre in Makusha, Zimbabwe, explored how interactive theatre could encourage community reflection on gender-based violence, influence attitudes and create opportunities for women and other vulnerable groups to challenge abusive practices. The study described performances in which audience members could interrupt scenes, propose alternative responses and participate in discussions about strategies for addressing GBV. Similarly, the evaluation of the You the Man theatre-based programme by the authors of a 2022 study published in Health Promotion International found that participation was associated with increased recognition of abusive and coercive behaviours, improved knowledge of safe bystander intervention and greater awareness of support services (Using a Theatre-Based Programme to Prevent Gender-Based Violence: Evidence from Australia, 2022). In a related Nigerian context, Abah, Okwori and Alubo (2009) demonstrated how participatory theatre and video could be used to stimulate community reflection and debate about violence, identity and social relationships in northern Nigeria. Although their study did not specifically evaluate GBV prevention, it illustrates the potential of participatory performance to create spaces for dialogue around sensitive community problems. More recently, Collyer and Rogers (2026), in their review of community art for violence prevention in Africa, found that approaches such as forum theatre and narrative edutainment showed promise in raising awareness, challenging social norms and encouraging community dialogue. However, they also observed that evidence of sustained behavioural change and actual reductions in violence remained limited. These studies suggest that theatre may support prevention, but its effectiveness should be evaluated rather than assumed.

The evaluation of participatory community theatre as a GBV prevention intervention is therefore important because the success of an intervention should be assessed not only by the number of performances conducted or people reached but also by the changes it produces in knowledge, attitudes, social norms, intended behaviour and community responses to violence. A performance may attract a large audience and generate emotional reactions without necessarily changing the beliefs and practices that sustain abuse. For theatre to contribute meaningfully to behaviour change, it should be culturally relevant, inclusive, participatory, facilitated by trained individuals and connected to reliable referral and support services. It should also create opportunities for men, women, young people, traditional leaders, religious leaders and other community stakeholders to examine their roles in preventing violence. The World Health Organization (2019) emphasises that violence prevention requires interventions that address the multiple factors influencing behaviour, while Boal (1979) provides a theoretical basis for using participatory performance to encourage critical reflection and collective action. Collyer and Rogers (2026) further highlight the need for stronger evaluation of community arts interventions, particularly in relation to sustained behavioural outcomes. Against this background, the present study seeks to evaluate participatory community theatre as a behaviour-change intervention for gender-based violence prevention in selected communities in Delta State. It will examine the extent of community participation, assess changes in knowledge and attitudes, determine the influence of theatre on behavioural intentions and community responses, and identify the factors that support or limit the effectiveness of the intervention.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Gender-based violence continues to affect individuals, families and communities despite increasing public awareness, legal reforms and the activities of governmental and non-governmental organisations. In many communities, violence against women and girls is sustained by harmful gender stereotypes, unequal power relations, economic dependence, victim-blaming, fear of social rejection and the belief that domestic violence should be treated as a private family matter. These conditions can discourage survivors from reporting abuse and prevent community members from challenging violent behaviour. The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey reported that 21 per cent of women aged 15–49 had experienced physical or sexual violence by any perpetrator, while 58 per cent of women who had experienced physical or sexual violence had never sought help to stop it (NPC & Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, 2025). Although the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, provides an important legal framework for addressing violence, the persistence of abuse suggests that legislation and conventional awareness activities alone may not sufficiently transform the attitudes, social expectations and everyday behaviours that sustain GBV. The problem is therefore not only the occurrence of violence but also the persistence of community beliefs and practices that may tolerate, conceal or discourage action against it.

A further problem is that many GBV prevention activities concentrate on communicating information without necessarily creating sufficient opportunities for community members to examine their own attitudes, question harmful norms and practise alternative responses. Public lectures, posters, radio messages, workshops and advocacy campaigns can increase awareness, but individuals may continue to accept or excuse abusive behaviour when such practices are reinforced by family expectations, traditional beliefs, peer influence or economic circumstances. The World Health Organization (2019) recognises the need for comprehensive prevention strategies that address gender inequality, relationship dynamics, community environments and harmful attitudes. Heise (2011) similarly explains that violence is influenced by interconnected individual, relationship, community and societal factors. This creates a need for interventions that do more than inform people about the dangers of GBV. They should also encourage dialogue, critical reflection, shared responsibility and practical community action. Participatory community theatre offers an approach through which people can collectively examine familiar situations involving abuse, discuss their consequences and explore alternative ways of responding. However, the extent to which this approach can produce meaningful behaviour change in selected communities in Delta State remains a question requiring systematic investigation.

Another important problem concerns the effectiveness of participatory community theatre in moving participants beyond temporary awareness or emotional reactions towards measurable changes in attitudes, behavioural intentions and community responses. Although theatre can create an engaging environment for discussing sensitive social issues, attendance at a performance or participation in a discussion does not automatically demonstrate that harmful attitudes have changed or that individuals will act differently when confronted with violence. Crisp and Taket (2022), in their evaluation of a theatre-based GBV prevention programme in Australia, found improvements in participants’ recognition of abusive behaviour, knowledge of bystander intervention and awareness of support services. Magwegwe (2024) also demonstrated the potential of participatory forum theatre to encourage audience engagement and discussion of GBV in a Zimbabwean mining community. Nevertheless, these findings cannot simply be transferred to Delta State because communities differ in their cultural expectations, social structures, levels of awareness, access to support services and willingness to discuss violence publicly. It is therefore necessary to establish whether participatory community theatre can influence the knowledge, attitudes, behavioural intentions and willingness of people in selected Delta State communities to challenge GBV and support appropriate responses.

The central research problem is the limited context-specific evidence concerning the effectiveness of participatory community theatre as a behaviour-change intervention for GBV prevention in selected communities in Delta State. Although participatory theatre has been applied in different settings to encourage dialogue and address social problems, its success depends on factors such as the relevance of dramatic content, community participation, facilitator competence, cultural sensitivity, stakeholder support and the availability of referral services. Collyer and Rogers (2026) observed that community arts approaches in Africa show promise in raising awareness and challenging social norms, but evidence of sustained behavioural change and reductions in violence remains limited. Abah et al. (2009) also demonstrated the usefulness of participatory theatre and video in stimulating community reflection on violence in Nigeria, although their study addressed a different form of violence and a different geographical context. The absence of sufficient evidence specific to the selected communities makes it difficult to determine whether participatory theatre produces meaningful changes, which groups benefit most, and what conditions strengthen or limit its effectiveness. This study therefore seeks to evaluate participatory community theatre as a behaviour-change intervention for gender-based violence prevention in selected communities in Delta State.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The main aim of this study is to evaluate participatory community theatre as a behaviour-change intervention for gender-based violence prevention in selected communities in Delta State.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the nature and extent of community participation in participatory theatre programmes designed to prevent gender-based violence in selected communities in Delta State.

2. Assess the influence of participatory community theatre on participants’ knowledge and attitudes towards gender-based violence.

3. Evaluate the influence of participatory community theatre on behavioural intentions and community responses towards gender-based violence prevention.

4. Identify the factors that facilitate or hinder the effectiveness of participatory community theatre as a behaviour-change intervention for gender-based violence prevention in selected communities in Delta State.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What is the nature and extent of community participation in participatory theatre programmes designed to prevent gender-based violence in selected communities in Delta State?

2. How does participatory community theatre influence participants’ knowledge and attitudes towards gender-based violence?

3. To what extent does participatory community theatre influence behavioural intentions and community responses towards gender-based violence prevention?

4. What factors facilitate or hinder the effectiveness of participatory community theatre as a behaviour-change intervention for gender-based violence prevention in selected communities in Delta State?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will be tested at a 0.05 level of significance:

H₀₁: There is no statistically significant relationship between participation in community theatre programmes and behaviour-change outcomes relating to gender-based violence prevention among residents of selected communities in Delta State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study are expected to be beneficial to community members, women and girls, men and boys, community leaders, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, theatre practitioners, social workers, policymakers and future researchers.

Community Members: The study will help community members understand the importance of collective participation in preventing gender-based violence. It may encourage individuals to question harmful gender stereotypes, reject victim-blaming and recognise that violence prevention is a shared responsibility. Through participatory theatre, community members may become more willing to discuss sensitive issues and consider practical ways of responding to abusive behaviour.

Women and Girls: The study may contribute to improving awareness of the different forms of gender-based violence, available support services and the importance of seeking assistance when abuse occurs. It may also encourage women and girls to participate in community discussions, express concerns and become involved in initiatives that promote dignity, safety and equality.

Men and Boys: The study will emphasise the importance of involving men and boys in GBV prevention rather than treating violence prevention as the responsibility of women alone. It may encourage positive masculinity, respectful relationships, non-violent conflict resolution and responsible bystander behaviour.

Traditional and Religious Leaders: The findings may provide traditional rulers, community elders and religious leaders with useful information on how participatory theatre can support community education and social transformation. It may also encourage these leaders to use their influence to challenge harmful practices, support survivors and promote community-wide rejection of violence.

Government Agencies: Government institutions responsible for gender affairs, social welfare, education, health and community development may benefit from the findings when designing or implementing local GBV prevention programmes. The study may provide evidence on the usefulness of participatory theatre as a complementary strategy for implementing existing legal and policy frameworks.

Non-Governmental Organisations: Organisations working in gender equality, women’s rights, child protection and violence prevention may use the findings to improve their community engagement strategies. The study may help them understand how dramatic performances, audience participation and facilitated discussions can be integrated into awareness and behaviour-change programmes.

Theatre Practitioners and Community Drama Groups: The research will provide useful insights into the application of theatre as an instrument of social intervention. It may encourage playwrights, directors, performers and community drama groups to develop culturally relevant dramatic content that addresses GBV while promoting dialogue, inclusion and practical solutions.

Future Researchers: The study will contribute to literature on applied theatre, community participation, behaviour change and gender-based violence prevention. It may serve as a reference for further research on participatory performance, social norms and community-based interventions in Delta State and other parts of Nigeria.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study will focus on participatory community theatre as a behaviour-change intervention for gender-based violence prevention in selected communities in Delta State, Nigeria. Geographically, it will be restricted to the communities selected by the researcher for the investigation. The specific communities will be identified in the final research proposal or approved methodology.

In terms of content, the study will examine community participation in theatre activities, the use of dramatic performances to communicate GBV prevention messages, participants’ knowledge and attitudes towards violence, behavioural intentions and community responses to GBV. It will also investigate factors that may influence the effectiveness of the intervention, including cultural relevance, community leadership, gender inclusion, facilitation methods, accessibility and the availability of support services.

The study will cover relevant forms of gender-based violence, including domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual violence, psychological abuse, economic abuse, sexual harassment and harmful gender-related practices. It will consider the experiences and perspectives of adult community members, including men, women, young adults and relevant community stakeholders.

The study will not be designed as an investigation into the prevalence of every form of GBV across Delta State. Rather, it will evaluate the contribution of participatory community theatre to prevention-related outcomes in the selected communities.

1.8 Methodology

The study will adopt a mixed-methods evaluation design to obtain both quantitative and qualitative information about the effectiveness of participatory community theatre as a behaviour-change intervention. The quantitative component will assess participants’ knowledge, attitudes, behavioural intentions and responses towards GBV prevention, while the qualitative component will explore their experiences, interpretations and perceptions of the theatre intervention.

Where an existing theatre programme is available for evaluation, a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test approach may be adopted to assess changes in selected outcomes before and after participation. Where feasible, a comparison group of residents who have not participated in the intervention may also be included. This will help distinguish changes associated with the theatre programme from other influences. If no prior or ongoing programme exists, the researcher will need to organise a structured theatre intervention and evaluate it over an appropriate period.

The population will comprise adult residents of the selected communities in Delta State, including community leaders, women, men, youth representatives, theatre participants and relevant stakeholders involved in GBV prevention. A suitable sampling technique will be used to select respondents, depending on the size and structure of the communities.

Data will be collected through structured questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. The questionnaire will measure community participation, knowledge of GBV, attitudes towards harmful gender norms, behavioural intentions and perceived community responses. Interviews and focus group discussions will provide deeper information about participants’ experiences, the relevance of the dramatic scenarios and factors influencing the success or limitations of the intervention.

Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviations. Where pre-test and post-test data are collected, appropriate inferential statistics, such as paired-samples t-test, may be used to assess changes in participants’ responses. Where the hypothesis concerns the relationship between participation and behaviour-change outcomes, an appropriate correlation or regression technique will be selected based on the measurement scales and distribution of the data. Qualitative information will be analysed thematically by identifying recurring ideas, experiences and explanations relating to the intervention.

Because GBV is a sensitive subject, the study will observe ethical principles, including informed consent, confidentiality, voluntary participation and protection from harm. Participants will not be required to disclose personal experiences of violence in public theatre discussions. Where disclosures or requests for assistance arise, the researcher will use appropriate referral arrangements to connect affected individuals with relevant support services.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

Participatory Community Theatre: This refers to a form of community-based performance in which residents actively participate in the development, presentation, interpretation and discussion of dramatic scenes addressing social issues, particularly gender-based violence.

Behaviour-Change Intervention: This refers to an organised activity designed to influence people’s knowledge, attitudes, intentions or actions in a desired direction. In this study, it refers to the use of participatory theatre to encourage non-violent attitudes, respectful relationships and constructive responses to GBV.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV): This refers to harmful acts directed at individuals because of their gender or acts that disproportionately affect people of a particular gender. It includes physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence, as well as harmful gender-related practices.

Gender-Based Violence Prevention: This refers to actions and strategies aimed at stopping violence before it occurs, reducing the conditions that encourage abuse and promoting attitudes, relationships and community practices that reject violence.

Community Participation: This refers to the active involvement of residents in identifying GBV-related concerns, developing dramatic content, attending performances, contributing to discussions and proposing solutions to violence within their communities.

Forum Theatre: This is an interactive form of participatory theatre in which audience members can interrupt a dramatic performance, suggest alternative actions or take the place of characters to explore possible solutions to the problem being presented.

Behavioural Intention: This refers to an individual’s willingness or stated readiness to take particular actions, such as rejecting abusive behaviour, supporting survivors, seeking assistance or intervening safely when witnessing violence.

Community Response: This refers to the actions, attitudes and support mechanisms through which community members and institutions respond to incidents or risks of gender-based violence.

Selected Communities: These refer to the specific communities in Delta State chosen as the geographical locations for conducting the study.

Evaluation: This refers to the systematic assessment of the implementation, relevance and outcomes of participatory community theatre in relation to GBV prevention.

Project – Participatory Community Theatre as a Behaviour-Change Intervention for Gender-Based Violence Prevention: An Evaluation of Selected Communities in Delta State.