From Silence to Spotlight: Local Youth Volunteers Use Theatre Performance for Community Transformation

Mon State, Myanmar – Inside a tiny hall at one of the monasteries in Mon State, a group of young volunteers huddle together, their hands working quickly to hang a simple backdrop and arrange the settings to perform for the audience. What was moments ago an empty, quiet space is now alive with purpose—a stage taking shape out of nothing.

As the performance begins, a hush falls over the room. For many in the audience, this is more than just a play—it’s the first time they’re seeing their own struggles reflected back at them.

"Every day, I endure abuse from my husband—what can I do?" cries one of the youth performers during the show, her voice cracking with emotion. In the front row, an elderly woman nodded her head, whispering to the woman next to her and said, “This is my story too.”

Ongoing conflict and widespread violence have upended lives across Myanmar, but women are often the ones who suffer in silence. Many experience gender-based violence (GBV) without even realising it, and knowing how to seek help.

"We don’t even know where or how to report violence if it happens to us," says Mi, one of the women who came to see the show.

Since 2016, AFXB Myanmar has been using theatre performance as a tool for social change. With support from UNFPA since 2023, the initiative expanded under gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) programmes, empowering young people to step forward as youth advocates and educators.

At the heart of this innovative initiative are 18 trained local youth volunteers—including LGBTQIA+ youth—who act as agents of change and voices for the voiceless. These young volunteers, led by a professional Performance Supervisor, write, direct, and perform interactive plays that mirror the hidden struggles of women and girls in their communities while offering pathways to hope and dignity.

"We’re not just performers—we are community educators, and this stage is our platform for change," says La Min Cho, her eyes bright with determination.

The performances, covering host communities in Mawlamyine, Mudon, and Kyaikmayaw townships, as well as IDP camps in Bilin township, provide a safe space to address taboo issues. With every play, these young educators challenge harmful norms, inspire community dialogue, and equip their audiences with vital knowledge about gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and women’s rights.

Thit, a 32-year-old woman in the crowd, admitted, "We didn’t feel like we were listening to a traditional awareness session. Through the exceptional performance by these dedicated young people, we have learnt so many things about our rights, including violence against women.” 

For these youth, the theatre program is more than an awareness activity—it’s a journey of transformation. According to community testimonies, some areas where these activities were introduced have started to see a decrease in incidents of violence, and women have become more active, stepping into decision-making roles within their families and participating in the community activities. GBV referrals to essential services are now more effective, ensuring survivors get timely support. However, gender-based violence remains widespread across many parts of Myanmar, especially in conflict-affected settings, where risks remain high and deeply rooted.

"Before, I was afraid to speak with others. I didn’t know how to educate the community people about domestic violence," says 20-year-old Aung Bo Bo, one of the youth volunteers of the team.. “Now, I speak up and advocate through theatre performance that violence is never acceptable.”

Even in the tense atmosphere of internally displaced camps (IDP), the performances bring healing.

"We learned about our wellbeing and rights, including how to protect ourselves—and even found joy in the meaningful songs and performances," shares one of the local participants. “They give us hope again.”

The community-based theatre performance approach is not only changing behaviours and norms but also building sustainable solutions by turning local young people into peer educators and youth champions. These empowered young people are now at the forefront of driving local action for safer, more inclusive communities.

"We may not have the power to change policies, but we do have the power on this stage to change our communities to a safe and equal society," says Yie Tone, Performance Supervisor of the team. 

As the world marks International Youth Day 2025 under the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, these young leaders in Mon State demonstrate that youth are not merely targeted groups for development—they are active architects of change.

In a country grappling with conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crises, Myanmar’s youth are proving that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be achieved when local voices lead the way. Through creativity, courage, and leadership, they are translating global aspirations into life-saving realities for their communities.

This initiative is made possible through the support of UNFPA’s Women and Girls First (WGF) programme funded by the Governments of Australia, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and the European Union.

*This story was originally published on the UNFPA Myanmar website.