Gender consciousness through applied theatre

Catarina Sales Oliveira; Alcides A. Monteiro; Sílvia Pinto Ferreira

doi:10.3384/rela.2000-7426.OJS352

Authors

Catarina Sales Oliveira ISCTE-IUL / CIES / University of Beira Interior (UBI)
Alcides A. Monteiro ISCTE-IUL / CIES / University of Beira Interior (UBI)
Sílvia Pinto Ferreira Quarta Parede-Performative Arts Association of Covilhã

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3384/rela.2000-7426.OJS352

Keywords:

Applied theatre, consciousness, empowerment, gender (in)equalities, transformative learning

Abstract

This paper describes an experience of the use of applied theatre for the promotion of gender equality. The fact that women continue to face multiple forms of discrimination as human beings, citizens and professionals justified the search of alternative training models. The Empowerment Labs focused on the amplification of power, freedom and action of two groups of women: university students and unemployed women. The core of the approach followed was guided by a fundamental question: ‘can theatre raise consciousness and empowerment in the context of gender equality?’ The results obtained through different internal assessment tools provide evidence of change in what feminist awareness and personal empowerment are concerned. We present and discuss the process and results of this experience including the advantages and limitations of applied theatre in certain types of outcomes.

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Author Biographies

Catarina Sales Oliveira, ISCTE-IUL / CIES / University of Beira Interior (UBI)

Catarina Sales Oliveira is an Assistant Professor at the Sociology’s Department of University of Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal and a researcher at CIES-IUL (Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology). She is president of the UBI’s Commission for Gender Equality. From 2009 to 2013 she coordinated the implementation of UBIgual – UBI Gender Equality Plan, a project funded by Portuguese State and POPH/QREN from EU aiming to fight against gender discrimination in Higher Education institutions. She is coordinator of training courses for teachers in Education, Gender and Violence under the protocol with CIG (Portuguese Citizenship and Gender Equality Commission). Research interests: Gender; Transports, mobilities and inequalities; Work and organizations.

Alcides A. Monteiro, ISCTE-IUL / CIES / University of Beira Interior (UBI)

Alcides A. Monteiro holds a PhD in Sociology and is Assistant Professor with Aggregation at the Sociology Department of University of Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal, since 2002. He is Director of the Master Degree Program in Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation at UBI and a researcher of CIES-IUL (Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology). He carries out research in the fields of local and regional development, evaluation and participation methodologies, public policies, associations and volunteering, social entrepreneurship, gender studies, adult education and lifelong learning.

Sílvia Pinto Ferreira, Quarta Parede-Performative Arts Association of Covilhã

Sílvia Pinto Ferreira holds an MA in Community Theatre with an investigation on Theater and Gender Equality and a BA in Theatre Studies. She is a performer and trainer in the area of performing arts and is also dedicated to artistic production and programming. Her artistic research focuses on multidisciplinary processes, performative research methodologies and artistic creation with the community. She develops her artistic work mainly with Quarta Parede-Performative Arts Association of Covilhã/PT and with Pé de Pano-Cultural Projects/PT.

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