GENDER EMANCIPATION

Concept: Sara Kwala Opondo

Solo performance of 45 minutes

Light n sound: Doudou Saidi

Photography:  Sabine Bretz / Goethe Nairobi

The choice of ‘Gender Emancipation’ as a conceptual lens for artistic discussion reflects the ambivalence’s our society is faced with as well as examining the moral fabric in Kenya. On one hand, the concept evokes connotations of a ‘Western’ history of woman’s emancipation, the trajectory of which differs from that of woman’s movements in post colonial contexts. In recent time we have seen our cultures being brushed aside to pave way for the “western cultures” In this regards women have absconded their traditional roles as mothers, caregivers in the family etc… and more emphasis has been put on career. The female gender has largely been affirmed which is a positive gesture but is seen as a threat in the harmonious co-existence that has existed in our society. On the same note we now see a new breed of male gender that prefers to sit back in their comfort zone expecting their female partners to provide for them. When the woman becomes the provider the man’s role as the head of the family shifts. These shifts in roles have been the genesis of societal hiccups.

The dance piece is aimed at re constructing the image of the society, solving gender struggles against injustices and dependencies. This will open up perspectives for parallel experiences beyond the ‘East-West’ divide and thus common grounds for peaceful co-existence of gender.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NWTvHcj7Dk