The United Nations Women (UN Women) has supported the staging of a musical stage play, “Bunk Talk: The Musical” in Abuja to raise awareness on sexual and gender-based violence, disability inclusion, mental health, and climate justice.
The production, put together by the Girl Child Value Support Initiative with support from the UN Women used drama, music, and dance to spotlight social issues through the nostalgic setting of Nigerian boarding school life.
The performance also employed the interactive Touch Tag method, encouraging audience members to actively engage and co-create solutions.
The Producer and Executive Director of the Girl Child Value Support Initiative, Precious Wakili, explained that her inspiration for using drama came from personal experiences.
According to her, drama remains a powerful tool to “transform minds, build people, and educate society.”
Wakili expressed optimism that the performance left a strong impression on the audience.
She said she expects everyone who watched to return home as advocates for the rights of women and girls.
On his part, the Director of the play, Sola Oyeniyi, described the production as a blend of avant-garde and Brechtian techniques, noting that his creative approach drew heavily on faith and inspiration.
For UN Women Programme Officer, Ibrahim Nurudeen, the play successfully challenged harmful cultural narratives, stressing that gender equality is not about women taking the place of men but about women and girls enjoying the same rights, dignity, and opportunities as their male counterparts.
He urged Nigerians to “become feminists” in order to reshape societal narratives and create a better future.
Programme Manager of the Girl Child Value Support Initiative, Owa Zuriel, said the production was not just entertainment but “a call to reflection, to action, and to justice.”
Zuriel emphasised that empowering girls with the space to dream and learn changes not only their lives but also the future of their families, communities, and the nation.
The cast highlighted key issues faced by young people in secondary schools, including bullying, early child marriage, gender-based abuse, and discrimination against persons with albinism.
The organisers say they expect the play to inspire the audience to become advocates for the rights of women, girls, and marginalized groups, as well as to challenge harmful norms across society.
