Preventing Child Labor & Early Marriage Through Theatre
Ethiopia | Preventing Child Labor & Early Marriage Through Theatre – Keshene Theatre Production | 2024
Selam!
We are Keshene Theatre Production (Shift Team Ethiopia), a youth-driven collective using art, theatre, and creative expression to tackle child labor and early marriage in Ethiopia’s Waghimra Zone. Our mission? To create a society where children are free from exploitation, can access education, and have the opportunity to build brighter futures.
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12 to 14 years old
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The Right-Sized Problem
Child labor and early marriage remain critical barriers to education and well-being in Ethiopia, particularly in Ziquala and Sekota Woredas. Many children are forced to drop out of school, limiting their future opportunities. By focusing on theatre, storytelling, and interactive performances, we engaged communities in a culturally relevant way to challenge harmful norms and promote child protection.
What did we do?
Through advocacy, theatre, public discussions, and community mobilization, we directly engaged over 53,000 individuals, including children, parents, government leaders, and educators.
Offline Impact
🎭 Community Theatre & Open-Air Performances – We staged interactive performances in Tsitska and Hamusit to educate communities about the risks of early marriage and child labor. These events combined music, drama, and poetry to engage audiences emotionally and intellectually.
🎤 Public Conferences & Demonstrations – Children led mass gatherings, delivering speeches, performances, and poetry to advocate for their right to education.
🏃♂️ Mass Advocacy Run in Sekota City – Over 400 children, youth, and local leaders participated in a public event raising awareness about school dropout, drug abuse, and child labor.
🎨 Talent Competitions – We hosted creative competitions for children, encouraging them to use music, storytelling, and art to spread awareness.
📻 Radio & Media Advocacy – We ran public service announcements in Ziquala and Sekota Zuria and partnered with local media outlets to spread key messages.
Online & Media Impact
📡 Extensive Media Coverage – Our work was featured across Amhara Media Corporation, Amhara Communication Bureau, and various Facebook platforms.
📱 Social Media Engagement – We shared live event footage and advocacy content via TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
🎥 Drone Footage from Addis Ababa – We captured high-quality visuals to increase outreach and awareness.
📢 Check out our media coverage:
🔗 Amhara Communication Coverage
🔗 Amhara Education Bureau Coverage
🔗 Amico Himtagna
🔗 Waghimra Communication
Impact in Numbers
53,282 individuals reached, including 16,418 children (9,682 boys, 6,769 girls).
43 early marriages prevented (22 in Ziquala, 21 in Sekota Woreda).
868 children re-enrolled in school, thanks to community interventions.
Increase in primary school enrollment, with 262 additional students enrolling in Ziquala Woreda.
120 young people supported in overcoming drug addiction, as reported by Waghimra Zone officials.
Campaign Impact
A defining moment of our campaign was the impact on child participation. Children themselves led public discussions, advocated for their rights, and creatively spread awareness. As one of the child participants put it:
"I never thought my voice could make a difference. Now, I know I have the power to change my community."
What’s Next?
We are committed to expanding our impact and continuing the fight against child labor and early marriage in Ethiopia. Our next steps include:
📌 Scaling up theatre and creative advocacy to more communities.
📌 Strengthening partnerships with government & local organizations to ensure long-term impact.
📌 Increasing child-led initiatives, empowering young people to lead change in their communities.
Follow our journey:
📍 Facebook Media Coverage: Click here
