Afghan Prison Project: The workshops

Three times a week we go to the women's prison and hold workshops with the women.  On the first day, a large group of women are gathered outside in the courtyard on blankets, nursing their babies, crocheting, drinking tea -- and waiting for us. About 15 of them join us in a circle and the rest watch. Those watching followed along laughing and clapping and thoroughly enjoying what to them was a greatly entertaining show. I am sure the women have never seen anything like this before. Grown women playing, jumping around, acting silly.

We are using various theater exercises that we think are useful to energize and uplift, practice focus and awareness, develop mutual trust, build self-esteem and confidence, exercise self-expression and just get to play. To an actor these are normal daily activities, but ordinary adults are not so used to these playful activities, and certainly not Afghan women who have been conditioned to never express themselves in any way that could draw attention. These exercises are therefore all the more powerful.

The women are of course a bit self-conscious, but it is clear that they really enjoy the opportunity to play and to move. They like that the games are physical, so that they get physical exercise and at same time an active mind. They tell us the exercises stimulate their minds and give them lots of energy. They especially enjoy the games in which they just get to play like children! At one workshop, they spontaneously engaged in their own version of blind man’s buff. Our program gives them the opportunity to play and express themselves in a way they would otherwise never dare.

But still, they dare not dance. In Afghanistan women cannot dance in the presence of men. But even in the women's prison where there are only women, it is not appropriate for them to express themselves in this way. How sad! But it was explained to me that dancing is something done in private parties only and prison is still too public a space. And yet, the women keep suggesting it in games to embarrass each other, and at one point they all wanted me to dance, clapping and chanting "Anna, dance, Anna, dance!" So I goofed it up, knowing they'd get a kick out of it. But Fariba, our fellow Afghan workshop leader, indicated this was a no no. I realized it wasn't appropriate for me to indulge in dancing either. We have to be careful that observers don't get the wrong idea and accuse us of corrupting the women with inappropriate activities (with the typical fear that foreigners are imposing Western values), and then the program could get shut down. We don't want that. So no dancing! Since we do a lot of movement exploration, we tread a thin line sometimes and have to clearly communicate that this form of physical expression is not dance.

One exercise we do is really so basic, but has a profound impact. You imagine yourself standing on top of a great mountain and you call your name out to the world. Everyone stands in a row, first shouting their names out together, stepping forward with a gesture as if physically throwing your name and reaching out. Then one by one each person calls out their name, and everyone echoes their name back. 

Here is some of the feedback we received from the women:

I never said my own name out loud before. Now I can say it proudly and freely.

When I’m on the mountain I feel free like I’m out in the world.

When I stand on the mountain and call out my name, I feel like the mountain will come tumbling down, my voice is so powerful.

We should shout so everybody can hear our voice.

I’m so full of energy, it’s fantastic.

I feel refreshed and relaxed.

From the beginning there has been lots of excitement and energy and engagement. We have a core group of women who are participating in every workshop and are very motivated. Others are joining as we go along. Many women are choosing to watch the workshop and some then ask to join.

At the same time, the women face daily challenges with their circumstances and are battling depression. So the attendance varies day by day, but we have to be flexible and patient with their ability to participate. Given the situation, I'm impressed with the women’s engagement so far.

The women working as counselors or advocates told us that many women don't go to the other activities because they're too depressed, and that's why this program is really good for them: it's very active, physical, new and different. 

Some of the women practice the games and exercises on their own after we leave, playing with each other. One woman practiced with her bunk mates till one in the morning! Her bunk mates did not participate directly in the workshop but were very keen to have her teach them what she had learned. This is great that the women are taking initiative to teach the others. One of our goals is to boost the women’s confidence and give them an opportunity to learn and exercise leadership. This woman is already doing it!

I would like more of the women to participate and benefit --  I hope we can keep inspiring and motivating the women to come, and that the women who are the most engaged will motivate the others. They key is to keep showing up for them. 

Our Afghan colleagues at Simorgh Theatre are continuing the program through the end of the year, and they have started to work with the women on creating a show based on their own stories. I look forward to hearing how this develops!

We are also conducting workshops in the juvenile correction center, the child support center and a women's shelter. More on this to follow.

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Unfortunately, I cannot show any photos here of our work together. The women were adamant that we not take pictures. This is, of course, understandable, and we have to ensure a safe, comfortable environment in our work with them. On my last day they allowed me to take a couple of pictures for our documentation, provided, however, that I not post them on the internet. Four years ago the women didn't mind.  But since then they have had media come in to the prison a few times and thereafter published photos and video that caused problems for the women. I will not betray their trust!