1. Partnership and Collaboration:
Sexual Reproductive Health
(SRH) Information Literacy
among Women in Southern
Cross River State, Nigeria
Philip, Kathryn J.
University Library
University of Uyo, Nigeria
E-mail:
kathphilip@yahoo.com
Edisua Merrab
Oko-Offoboche,
Theatre Arts Dept,
University of Calabar,
Nigeria

2. INTRODUCTION
•Ediba is a sub-urban community
•It is an Efik-speaking Qua clan in Calabar in
Southern Cross River State in the Niger Delta region
of Nigeria.
•Their literacy level is low particularly among the
women populace with effect on child development
(Offoboche & Offoboche, 2004).
•Also, there is inequality and exploitation of women
and girls and an unfair distribution of power,
resources and responsibilities which leaves women
dispossessed, overlooked and overworked.
•This is legitimized by ancient tradition, sometimes
enshrined in customary law and is socialized into
women and attitudes.

3. INTRODUCTION (cont’d)
 The low level of female involvement and
participation in creating change is a challenge
 The Transformation Agenda, 2011-2015 of the
current government seeks in part to:
 build a Nigerian society devoid of gender
discrimination and guarantee equal access
to political, social and economic wealth
creation opportunities;
 develop a culture that places premium on
issues that promote full participation of
women…in the process of national
development, through advocacy on safe
motherhood, women’s right/empowerment
and changing negative social norms on
reproduction;

4.  The Dreamboat Theatre for Development Foundation,
began as a mobile Children’s Theatre Troupe in Uyo,
Southern Nigeria, initially named Children’s Funbow
Theatre; presently known as DreamBoat .
 It is an NGO committed to advocacy of Women’s Rights
particularly in sexuality and health related issues.
 It expanded its scope in the late 1990 to include community
development work with head office in Calabar, Cross River
State and a branch in Uyo.
Here
is
Dream
Boat!

5. DreamBoat
 Main goals of DreamBoat are to mobilize,
organize, educate and motivate women to
embrace social changes, development ideas,
values and attitudes that foster women
empowerment and well being.
 Theatre for Development (TFD) is the main
tool of DreamBoat
 Information through theatrical means portray the
society and imparts knowledge and learning even
from other people’s experience, emotions and
characters (Nwabueze , 2003; Obasi , 2012).
 TFD was used to mobilize, communicate, sustain
interest and create lasting impressions on SRH issues
as rape, pregnancy/family planning, parenting,
female genital cutting (FGC), commercial sex work
(CSW) &economic issues in the Ediba community
project.

6. Partnerships &collaborations
 Partnerships, networks, collaboration and coalitions:
 CiSGHAN - Civil Society Consultative Groups on
HIV/AIDS in Nigeria ,
 CIRDDOC- Civil Resource Development and
Documentation Centre
 GPI- Girls’ Power Initiative and
 NINPREH – Nig. Network of NGO’s on Popn. and Repr.
Health
 Facilitators
 Practicing theatre educator, a librarian (research
authors)
 Social scientists, volunteer workers/theatre
students &
 Full staff members and some Ediba women
 Funding/Sponsorship:
John D. and Catherine MacAuthur Foundation.

7. DREAMBOAT staff in session with some Ediba women

8. PARTIPATORY METHODOLOGIES & PROGRAMS
Library Research:
Dreamboat
Research team
engaged the library
& internet in
generating
information on SRH
issues & maintaining
collections in
various formats
Preliminary Research:
Revealed poverty, illiteracy & poor
infrastructure, were major prevalent adverse
issues in the area, as indicated by 185,160 and
150 respondents of 200 community members
(males and females) interviewed.

9.  Seminar was held by Dreamboat research team,
volunteers/undergraduate students, media and
social science experts to harmonize views,
eliminate unwarranted hypotheses on SRH issues &
design a training manual to serve as a guide for
engaging the Ediba community.
 Specialized training (two-weeks each)
 Participatory approach to community research - for
Research team prior to the main outreach at Ediba
 Camera works for technical staff - video production,
camera manipulation, shots and trends in media
Seminar
Participatory
research
Camera works
Computer literacy
Capacity building

10. Mobilization and media
•Art forms used: storytelling, dance, craft,
folktales /poetry.
•Media outreaches comprising posters,
newsletters, radio jingles and promos were used
to sensitize audience on what was forth coming,
•A film production done (with lead
author/librarian as one of the actors playing
role of HIV/AIDS counselor) and television
drama series. This was aired for several weeks
by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA),
Calabar.
•Researchers note that low response to
information often result from provision
information obtainable may not be
encouraging at all, while ones available are in
media forms that the rural dwellers cannot
understand due to their literacy level
•Illustrative presentations however bridged such gaps
(Philip & Udoh, 2011; Mbagwu & Nwachukwu, 2008;
Ugwu & Mbajiorgu, 2011).

11.  A Pre- and Post-Test semi – structured questionnaire was
administered with postulations to guide the study as follows:
 To what extent has theatre for development helped to
improve the level of understanding and attitude of Ediba
community members on issues of reproductive health.
 There is no improvement in the attitude and
understanding of Ediba community members on issues of
reproductive health and rights after theatre for
development sessions.
 Each section of the questions was thoroughly explained to
the women before they responded. Both pre and post tested
format comprised sixty items addressing SRH issues.
Empowerment Sessions
on Parenting, Rape, AIDS, FGC, Family planning and Teenage pregnancy
Younger women hold separate session where they could
be free to express themselves

12. Interactive session:
Some of the women engaged in
moderating and instructing their fellows
‘’’Tell me and I forget, show me and I
remember, involve me and I understand’

13. Table 1: Remarks by Respondents
S/N RESPONDENTS REMARKS ACTION
1 Civil
servant
I now know more about HIVAIDS,
cancer and family planning; having
lesser number of children is better.
Tests self daily for cancer; no longer
uses tissue but sanitary towel for
women’s ‘monthly’ concerns.
2 Traditional
Birth
Attendant
(TBA)
I’ve learnt about diabetes, HIV/
AIDS, child labor/abuse; I’ve ten
children but would’ve had four if
I’d these teachings. People who do
Female Genital Cutting (FGC) for
money should be given
employment.
I want to educate my
husband; he feels women
brought AIDs into the
world.
3 Market
woman
I have improved my
relationships with my
husband.
I now teach my women &
children in the community thro’
the lessons I get.
4 Oldest
woman in
community
I’ve learnt a lot about
hypertension, diabetes, and STIs;
we need more skill
---
5 Adolescent
1
I now know how to appreciate my
own body; I can ask questions
about sex without fear. My
boyfriend believes a woman’s place
isn’t kitchen
I now avoid relationships that
are exploitative & do go for
medical check-ups; my
boyfriend now assists with
domestic chores.
6 Adolescent
2
I’ve learnt how to care for myself
during women’s monthly concerns
& tips on how to avoid rape,
multiple sex matters, STDs and
HIV/ AIDS.
I advice friends on issues of
multiple sexual partners. I now
practice safe sex.
OUTCOMES

14. OUTCOME (cont’d)
Adolescent’s response
I now know how to
appreciate my own body; I
can ask questions about sex
without fear. My boyfriend
believes a woman’s place
isn’t kitchen
 I now avoid relationships
that are exploitative & do
go for medical check-ups;
 my boyfriend now assists
with domestic chores.

15. OUTCOMES (cont’d)
TABLE 2: Summary of Ediba Women’s Response on
PARENTING before and after Empowerment (n=44)
S/
N STATEMENT
BEFORE % AFTER %
Agree Disagre
e
Agree Disagre
e
1 Parent should not be
friendly with children so
that they can discipline
them
86.36 13.64 45.45 54.54
2 Children should not be
taught sex education
because it corrupts them
36.37 63.63 40.91 59.09
3 Children should be taught
sex education because it
will teach them about
reproductive rights and
health
63.64 36.36 72.73 27.27
4 It is the responsibility of
parents to provide food,
clothes, education and
welfare of their children.
100 0.00 68.18 31.82

16. TABLE 3: Summary of Ediba Women’s Response on AIDS
before and after Empowerment (n=44)
S/N STATEMENT BEFORE % AFTER %
Agree Disagree Agree Disagree
1 Having sex with many people is
okay, it is natural
4.55 95.45 9.09 90.91
2 I need money, so that makes me
keep many affairs
31.82 68.18 9.09 90.91
3 I encourage my partner to use
condom, so having sex with many
men is okay.
31.82 68.18 22.73 77.27
4 I hate condoms because it takes
away joy of sex.
50.00 50.00 40.91 59.09
5 AIDS is just a joke 31.82 68.18 13.64 86.36
6 AIDS is real 77.27 22.73 68.18 31.82
7 Using unsterilized needles and
razors can expose one to AIDS
72.73 27.27 86.36 13.64
8 Coughing, handshaking, toilet and cup
sharing exposes one to AIDS
68.18 31.82 31.82 68.18
9 You can tell a person that has
AIDS by looking at the person.
50.00 50.00 45.45 54.55
10 Men are the main victim of AIDS 36.36 63.64 27.27 72.63
11 More people should be taught
more about AIDS
81.82 18.19 90.91 9.09
12 Husbands can endanger or expose one
to AIDS because they keep many sex
partners.
81.82 18.18 72.72 27.27

17. TABLE 4: Summary of Ediba Women’s Response on
F.G.C. (Circumcision) before and after Empowerment (n=44)
S/
N
STATEMENT BEFORE % AFTER %
Agree Disagree Agree Disagre
e
1 I encourage female
circumcision
59.09 40.91 18.18 81.82
2 Female circumcision is a
thing of pride in Efik/Qua
culture
86.36 13.14 81.82 18.18
3 It is taboo not to circumcise
your female child
27.27 72.72 40.91 59.09
4 Female circumcision is
dangerous to health
36.36 63.64 77.28 22.72
5 Female circumcision as
practiced by our parents was
not dangerous to them & it
cannot be dangerous now.
72.73 27.27 22.73 77.27
6 Female circumcision should
be stopped
31.82 68.18 63.64 36.36
7 Circumcising our daughter
is fair
50.00 50.00 40.91 59.09
8 I need more information on
female circumcision
90.91 9.09 77.27 22.73

18. TABLE 5: Summary of Ediba Women’s Response on
FAMILY PLANNING Before and after Empowerment (n=44)
S/N STATEMENT BEFORE % AFTER %
Agree Disagree Agree Disagree
1 I feel comfortable with current
family planning method
68.18 31.82 72.73 27.27
2 Family planning encourages
immorality
72.73 27.27 77.27 22.73
3 I feel safe with family planning
because it prevents unwanted
pregnancy
77.27 22.73 72.28 27.72
4 I would like to do family
planning, but I cannot discuss
with my spouse.
50.00 50.00 54.54 45.45
5 With family planning,
pregnancies that are risky to
health are reduced
63.64 36.36 81.81 18.19
6 Family planning is a good way to
control the number of children I want
81.82 18.18 86.36 13.64
7 It is good to have many children,
so I do not like family planning
36.36 63.64 36.36 63.64
8 Abortion is not dangerous so
anybody, even a chemist can do it
4.55 95.45 4.55 95.45
9 It is good to space your children,
so that you can do other things
and also gain your health
18.18 81.82 68.18 31.82
10 Traditional family planning is
better that orthodox method.
40.91 59.09 27.27 72.73

19. TABLE 6: Summary of Ediba Women’s Response on TEENAGE
PREGNANCY before and after Empowerment (n=44)
S/N
STATEMENT
BEFORE % AFTER %
Agree Disagree Agree Disagree
1. It is good for women to have children
early, so teenage pregnancy is okay
50.00 50.00 27.28 72.62
2 Young mothers suffer a lot of medical
complications
54.54 45.46 90.91 9.09
3 Young girls should wait till they are
older to indulge in sexual
relationships
72.72 27.28 77.27 22.73
4 Teenage pregnancy is common,
it is okay
45.45 54.54 36.37 63.63
5 Female children should be
encouraged to go out and bring
money into the family
45.45 54.55 45.45 54.55
6 Female children will end up in a
different family, so their
education is not important
40.91 59.09 4.55 95.45
7 Female children will grow up to
depend on men, so they do not
need to acquire any vocational
skills
31.82 68.18 4.55 95.45

20. Conclusion &Recommendations
•The study afforded women the forum to air their views on
SRH issues which previously was difficult to do
•Some age long taboos erroneously adhered to were
corrected.
•Many women asked for gynecological services during the
empowerment for many could not afford the cost of
consulting doctors or buying drugs.
•However the women particularly recommended that more
work should be done in the area of FGC especially among
older women who still believe that the practice is sacrosanct.
•Theatre performances, FGD and empowerment sessions used
in advocating changes in SRH issues impacted the women and
girls in Ediba community and
•enabled a significant improvement in their attitude and
knowledge.
•It is anticipated that the enjoyment of good health by women
would increase their productivity in all aspects of public and
private life (Ayanyemi, 2006).

21. Conclusion (contd.)
 We advocate an increase of theatre and movie-
based programmes as effective means of
communication rather than usual conventional
and instructional literacy forms.
 Study also established that collaborations with
cognate information professionals, librarians
inclusive, can foster mass literacy individually,
among groups and at community levels.
 Three reasons a film might feature a librarian are:
 the character's image is confirmed;
 to evoke irony (perhaps didn't expect a
librarian to behave this way!) and
 to expand on the traits and behaviors for the
public image (MovieLibrarians.com).


22. Conclusion contd.
 In conclusion, women, irrespective of location, need
information on family health, food and nutrition,
family planning and child education,
 rural women also need information regarding
agriculture and animal husbandry for their
involvement in socio-economic growth.
 Library or information centers can mitigate
information needs of rural women through access to
relevant information and can enable them participate
in national economic development (Hossain and Islam,
2012).
Development partners should maintain a shift from the
urban to sub-urban and rural areas where vulnerable
women and children have long been neglected.

23. Thank you
from all of us!