Rustaveli Theatre Hosts Performance on Violence against Women

It is no secret, that art, including theater, are powerful tools for raising awareness about violence against women and girls (VAWG) and for changing public perceptions and attitudes towards it.

Following the Kote Marjanishvili State Drama Theatre, the Rustaveli Theatre, has now offered its stage for plays on the theme of violence against women. The playwright, Lasha Bughadze, says his adaptation of Aristophanes’ “Lysistrata” (directed by Davit Sakvarelidze), “was inspired by what is happening in Georgia, with regards to domestic violence and violence against women".

In his award winning blog "Become Lysistratas", he states: " Now is the time when nobody should remain silent and the victims of violence should not be left alone, face to face with a despot. We should stop perpetrators together. We should help the Lysistratas.…” (click here for the blog).

“Lysistrata” was first performed as a poetry recitation last year during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence at the Mikheil Tumanishvili Film Actors’ Theatre in Tbilsi. After positive feedback from the audience, the performance has been brought to the biggest stage in Georgia. The premiere that took place on 8 December was attended by the First Lady, who has supported numerous initiatives to end violence against women and girls during the 2015 Year of Women (an initiative declared by the President of Georgia early this year).

Both, the original recitation and the big stage premiere of “ Lysistrata” have been supported by UN Women as part of the UN Joint Programme to Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia (funded by the Government of Sweden).

Since 2010, UN Women Georgia has been collaborating with artists, sportsmen, and the media on innovative actions to promote zero tolerance of VAWG. The latest play will be included in the regular repertoire of the Rustaveli Theatre and UN Women plans to assist in bringing the play to several towns in Georgia in 2016.