A playwright in Africa is taking a stand against the cultural silence surrounding rape through her powerful play, “Queen.” Olivia Ouedraogo, a playwright and actor from Africa, recently performed “Queen” at the Acte Sept cultural center in Bamako, Mali. The play tells the story of a girl who is raped by her stepfather on the night of his marriage to her mother and bravely chooses to speak out, despite opposition from her family.
Ouedraogo’s motivation for creating “Queen” stemmed from her frustration that rape victims are often compelled to remain silent to avoid conflict within their families. She passionately expressed her disbelief that victims are made to feel ashamed and dirty, forced to hide from society. Through her play, she aims to break the barriers of silence that perpetuate in African communities, where discussing sexual assault is often taboo.
Adama Traore, the director of Acte Sept, emphasized that sexual violence is a prevalent issue globally, yet discussion around it remains limited. In Mali, where gender-based violence is widespread and underreported, Ouedraogo’s play sheds light on the harsh reality faced by many women. A 2018 survey revealed that 45% of women aged 15-49 in Mali have experienced physical or sexual violence, with the majority of perpetrators being family members.
Despite the alarming statistics, silence continues to shroud instances of sexual violence, with many victims never disclosing their experiences. Ouedraogo is determined to challenge this culture of secrecy and hopes that by openly addressing the topic of sexual assault, victims will feel empowered to speak up and seek help. She advocates for increased governmental support and resources for victims of sexual violence, including access to psychological care.
In a patriarchal society like Mali, speaking out about rape can be particularly difficult for survivors as societal norms often pressure them to remain silent. Ouedraogo believes that creating a safe space for victims to share their experiences and receive support is crucial in breaking the cycle of silence and stigma surrounding sexual assault.
As Ouedraogo continues to stage performances of “Queen” in different cities, she is determined to spark conversations and raise awareness about the urgent need to address sexual violence in African communities. By amplifying the voices of survivors and advocating for change, she hopes to inspire a cultural shift towards supporting and empowering victims of rape.