Kathmandu, September 14, 2016: On the occasion of National Children’s Day, Shailee Theatre in accordance with CWISH went out on the streets and various schools of Kathmandu performing a street play, in the form of forum theatre. The play sought to implement the institutionalization of child rights as defined in the Constitution of Nepal 2072.
The play starts with a short compilation of montages of various child right violations, including child labor, child sexual harassment, child torture, as well as child abuse. Then the play proceeds to a small household of a father, and his two children, Mukti and Usha, who want to attend a seminar regarding children’s rights. After being denied by their father, they meet and go with their teacher Subash, to the seminar where one of the prominent person of society and Mukti give short speeches regarding Child rights. The play comes to an abrupt twist, as the prominent figure of the society is found to employ a small child as a domestic helper. The play comes to an end with that leader of the society realizing his flaw with a promise to work for the protection and conservation of child rights in the days to come.
The play was performed at two different schools today, Nandi Ratri Secondary School at Kamalpokhari and Emile Academy at Baneshwor in Kathmandu. The play got overwhelming responses from the participants in both of these locations. Principal of the Emile Academy commented, “Such kind of activities and works being done on the auspicious occasion of Children Day is wonderful and great. In many parts of Nepal, the regulations and conservation of Child Rights is still a long way to go.” Similarly, one of the teachers at the Nandi Ratri School said, “Children should not only observe this kind of programmes, but also actively involve on their own and give a message to the society.”
The play was also performed in 5 different public venues to mark the successful celebration of the Children’s Day.
According to the Director of Shailee Theatre, Mr. Nabaraj Budhathoki, such programmes are being conducted for entertainment as well as awareness of the children.
The play will be performed for the next 6 days in 25 different venues that includes schools and public places, informs Mr. Aryan Neupane, the coordinator of Shailee Theatre.
The play was performed by a group of artists from the Shailee Theatre, including Subash Subedi, Sashank Bohora, Sneha Poudel, Samir Khanal, Sahin Prajapati, Samapika Gautam, Atul Bhattarai, Abhay R Devkota, Bijay Adhikari and Anuska Adhikari. Directed by Sahin Prajapati and Aryan Neupane, the play is about 30 minutes long.
By Atul Bhattarai
Intern Reporter, Glocal Khabar
