Censored Pages from Postpartum and Motherhood: Theatre Performances, Campaign and Discussion

Goal

The overall aim of the project is to improve awareness about psychological health postpartum to promote motherhood emotional wellbeing in Makassar through theatre performance, campaign and discussion.

Main objectives

1. To create and run a campaign to raise awareness of postpartum and motherhood emotional wellbeing
2. To create a theatre performance on the theme of postpartum depression to raise awareness of this issue and help to prevent postpartum depression
3. To do further research on the issue to inform the development of the theatre performance
4. To improve the project manager’s capacity in leading the project
5. To strengthen the networking and communication with experts and organizations in this field

Context & theory of change

Postpartum depression is a signficiant issue in Indonesia but it is also a social taboo. Social constructions of womanhood and motherhood put pressure on women after birth and often lead them to underestimate the challenges they face postpartum and in early motherhood. This is compounded by a lack of knowledge and information on the postpartum period and maternal wellbeing, as well as poor access to support and mental health services.

Naya’s change idea is to highlight the issue of postpartum depression and maternal wellbeing through theatre performance and discussion. By linking this performance piece to an awareness-raising campaign on social media, audience members will be encouraged to take action and contribute to a wider and more open conversation about this issue.

Project activities and budget

Through social action theatre, the project aims to raise awareness of the challenges facing mothers postpartum, including postpartum depression. The main activity will be the development, production and staging of a theatre piece addressing these issues to include post-performance facilitated discussions with audiences. Further research will form the first phase of the project and will inform the development of the theatre piece and the script writing process. A social media campaign will also be created and run alongside the performances, both online and offline.
Total budget: NZD6840 (UnionAID contribution: NZD5000)