THEATRE FOR A CHANGE
About Theatre for A Change
The Young African Leaders Academy (YALA) – Second Cohort empowers young changemakers across Africa to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV prevention through creative, youth-led advocacy.
Using interactive theatre, storytelling and radio, the programme equips young people with leadership and communication skills to engage communities, challenge harmful social norms and promote informed health decisions. Through regional collaboration, YALA strengthens youth networks and encourages shared learning to drive positive social change.
Objectives
- Training Workshops: Building leadership and advocacy skills through theatre-based learning.
- Community Performances: Using interactive theatre to promote dialogue on SRH, HIV prevention, and healthy relationships.
- Peer Group Sessions: Strengthening youth networks and fostering peer support.
- Advocacy Engagements: Linking young people with decision-makers to influence policy and community action.
Strategies
Enhanced capacity for young people to use creative approaches for community mobilization. Monitoring and Evaluation Participatory feedback from youth participants to improve training and performances Observation of community engagement impact and knowledge uptake Cross-country learning to replicate successful strategies in multiple contexts Copilot said: A key strategy of the initiative is the use of creative and participatory communication approaches to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV awareness among adolescents and young people. Through interactive theatre and storytelling, health messages are made relatable, inclusive, and engaging, creating safe spaces for dialogue on health, relationships, and rights. Youth-led advocacy equips young people with creative tools and skills to facilitate community discussions, amplify their voices, and influence positive social change. Cross-country collaboration further strengthens the initiative by fostering regional learning, networking, and the exchange of innovative solutions and good practices. Together, these approaches build the capacity of young people to lead community mobilization efforts and drive sustainable, youth-led advocacy.
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Participants were trained in to lead SRHR advocacy
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Interactive Theatre to enhance Creative Advocacy
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Countries; Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe
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Community Engagement: Promoted open discussions on sexual health, healthy relationships and rights.
As a result, the initiative strengthens youth leadership in SRHR and HIV advocacy, increases open and informed discussions among adolescents and young people, and enhances collaboration among emerging leaders across the region. By promoting meaningful youth participation and continuous learning, the programme contributes to sustainable advocacy efforts that support positive community health outcomes. Progress is monitored through participatory feedback from youth participants, observation of community engagement and knowledge uptake, and cross-country learning processes that help identify and replicate successful strategies in different contexts.
