Notes to broadcasters
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Katungwe Nkukankhana (See-saws work by pushing each other) is a drama that deals with power imbalances in a young couple’s marriage, a time when men often monopolize decisions, including decisions about sexual life and contraceptives.
Malawi has one of the highest adolescent birth rates in Africa, and the sexual and reproductive health and rights of many adolescent girls and young women continue to be compromised and undermined by a range of factors. These include stigma and discrimination, harmful gender norms and practices, and a lack of awareness, education, and engagement on women’s rights, particularly among men. Adolescent girls and young women are also vulnerable to sexualized and gender-based violence, which, like many other places in the world, often goes unreported.
This script about power imbalances in relationships showcases how harmful cultural practices are passed on from parents to children and, if tolerated in early marriage, can become rooted and passed on through generations. The story is about Takondwa, a young and newly-married woman who confronts gender and power imbalances in her relationship by not remaining silent. With support from their community, the couple find ways to divide household labour in a way that meets the needs of both Takondwa and her husband, Chimwemwe.
You might choose to present this drama as part of your regular farming program, using voice actors to represent the speakers. At the end of the drama, you could air a discussion featuring family planning experts. Or you could air an advertisement about family planning services in your country or area, and explain where young couples can find family planning services, as well as other sexual and reproductive health services.
You could also ask gender activists and listeners to phone in and discuss the issues in the drama and the reality on the ground. They can explain the laws that govern some of the issues in the drama and the family planning decisions that young couples need to make in the early part of their marriage, as well as how to share decision-making and power.
Duration of program, including intro and extro, 25-30 minutes.
Script
Characters
CHIMWEMWE:
Newly married to Takondwa. Only son in his family and not involved in activities traditionally considered to be women’s work in Malawi.
TAKONDWA:
Newly married and wife of Chimwemwe. Grew up in a family where male and female children shared housework equitably.
NAGAMA:
Wife of Betha, and a Cluster leader in the Scaling up Nutrition project’s care group system that trains newly-married child-bearing couples, expectant couples, and caregivers of children under five.
BETHA:
A village family planning facilitator, male champion in the Scaling up Nutrition project, and husband of Nagama.
SIGNATURE TUNE UP, THEN FADE DOWN AND HOLD UNDER BELOW
PRESENTER:
Welcome to the drama entitled Katungwe Nkukankhana: (See-saw works by pushing each other) about power imbalances in relationships. The drama shows power imbalances in a young couple in early marriage, a time when men often monopolize decisions, including decisions about sexual life and contraceptive use.
I am your presenter, ____, and at the end of the drama, we will open the lines to discuss the issues that arise in the drama. So save your question and comments for the end. You can call or send an SMS or a WhatsApp message when the lines are open to the following numbers, _____. And don’t forget to like our Facebook page so that you can send questions and comments via Facebook too.
SIGNATURE TUNE UP THEN CROSS-FADE INTO BELOW
NARRATOR:
Did you know that gender issues can sometimes simply be called love issues? And did you know that gender roles include actions that those who love their partners do without being pushed or asked? Similarly, if you love your partner, what could stop you from discussing the number of children that you want to have, or the family planning methods you want to use to space childbirths? Enjoy the drama.
SCENE ONE
SFX:
Sound of cutting onions on the cutting board.
TAKONDWA:
Chimwemwe, why don’t you chop the onions today?
CHIMWEMWE:
Ok for today, but I may need your help. Since childhood, you have been cutting onions. But I am only learning it now.
TAKONDWA:
You know, my brother the hotel chef cuts even quicker and better than me. He wanted to be a hotel cook, and now he works at the hotel as a cook.
CHIMWEMWE:
Did your mother let him cook or did he learn at school?
TAKONDWA:
My mother made all us children cook. Regardless of gender.
CHIMWEMWE:
I didn’t cook at my mother’s home. My sisters chased me out of the kitchen … When women cook nsima, they need privacy, and it would be difficult for them if men were present.
TAKONDWA:
They spoiled you.
CHIMWEMWE:
No, that is too strong. Rather, they loved me as the only son.
TAKONDWA:
We also loved our only brother, and we taught him how to cook so that he could survive when we were not there. He enjoyed it. Now he makes a living from it.
CHIMWEMWE:
Fine. That is him and I am Chimwemwe.
SFX:
Sound of an empty pail
TAKONDWA:
Hey, there is no water. Darling, please take the bike and draw some water at the borehole.
CHIMWEMWE:
Noooo! Babie, I cannot manage. There are women all over at the borehole.
TAKONDWA:
You mean you didn’t even help your family with drawing water?
CHIMWEMWE:
At the borehole? I am afraid not.
TAKONDWA:
But when we started seeing each other before we were married, you helped me pump water and carry the jerry can.
CHIMWEMWE:
I was doing it for love of you. I enjoyed your company.
TAKONDWA:
Have you stopped loving me because I married you?
CHIMWEMWE:
In fact, I love you even more than before. But I cannot go there alone.
TAKONDWA:
Do you know that when a man goes to the borehole, women give him space to draw water first?
CHIMWEMWE:
Please, in the interest of time, please go.
TAKONDWA:
I will be waiting in line and it will take more time if I go. If you love me, why can’t you go to draw water for me while I am cooking?
CHIMWEMWE:
I have never been to the borehole alone. We were always together. You were washing the bucket and I was pumping. I was never alone washing buckets. My sisters even mocked me.
TAKONDWA:
Is washing a bucket a woman’s job? You can clean it too.
CHIMWEMWE:
But you never gave me that work at the borehole before.
TAKONDWA:
I did it out of love too. And today love wants you to do it, because I am busy cooking … Sha! Chimwemwe, you are making my life difficult. Okay, find someone to go for us.
CHIMWEMWE:
I can call someone to do it for us but I don’t have any cash. Do you have some cash?
TAKONDWA:
No, I don’t have any cash … This is not good. We have farmed together, and then I cook, and go to draw water—is everything on me?
SFX:
Sound of a bicycle bell
TAKONDWA:
Look, the bike has a flat tire. Inflate it for me, please.
CHIMWEMWE:
Shee. Our friend Maziko took the pump and travelled to town with it in case he had a puncture on the way.
SFX:
SOUND OF EMPTY PAIL/BUCKET
TAKONDWA:
It’s us who have a puncture now. Okay, look after the relish and add more fire so that the fish cooks faster. I will draw water. We will not go together because we will burn the relish …
CHIMWEMWE:
(hesitantly) Okay, thank you. I will look after the relish.
SFX:
SCENE TRANSITION SONG OR SIG TUNE IF THE DRAMA IS USED AS A STARTING POINT FOR DISCUSSION.
NARRATOR:
Takondwa is not happy, but she has gone to draw water because her husband is ashamed to do it. In your culture, is Chimwemwe right not to draw water? If you were Chimwemwe or Takondwa, what would you do?
SCENE TWO
SFX:
Sound of water being poured into a bucket
TAKONDWA:
What is stinking? Is the relish burning? Are you looking after the relish or you are busy with your phone?
CHIMWEMWE:
I smelled this smell and wondered what it could be.
TAKONDWA:
Did you add more water to the relish or were you just adding more fire?
CHIMWEMWE:
It was more fire all the way. Wasn’t that our agreement?
SFX:
Sound of a pot being thrown
TAKONDWA:
No, no, Chimwemwe. You need to behave as a grown-up man. You are not growing any younger. Soon you will be called dad by your children. You mean you do not know that we must add more water to relish? Look! The pot is burnt!
CHIMWEMWE:
(Stammers) I … but …
TAKONDWA:
(INTERRUPTING) No, give me your phone. This is the thing that stopped you from thinking.
SFX:
pouring water from the bucket to the pot
CHIMWEMWE:
Stop! My sisters say you that, when you burn a pot, you cannot add water immediately or the food will be bitter. You remove the burnt part and clean the pot before adding water.
TAKONDWA:
You see. You learned, but were simply not interested … I heard how hesitant you were to cook. Anyway, I am not hungry anymore and I am tired, so I will not cook. Let me go to sleep now.
CHIMWEMWE:
I’m very sorry, darling. I was indeed busy with my phone and I didn’t notice that the relish was getting burnt. Please cook for us.
SFX:
SOUND OF SCRATCHING A POT WITH A SPOON
TAKONDWA:
Look at how much relish we are throwing away to the dogs because you burnt it with your childishness!
CHIMWEMWE:
Sorry, baby, I told you I do not like cooking.
TAKONDWA:
We are just the two of us in this family. You need to start liking something to do with cooking now that you are married. You need to help me with my cooking so that we are ready for farm work the following day and not tired.
CHIMWEMWE:
Cooking is women’s work. My dada and me played bawo (Editor’s note: a household game) after farm work and my mother and sisters cooked for us.
TAKONDWA:
That is the old days. These days, husbands and wives help each other to cook. In your family, you had many sisters, but here there is just the two of us. You can’t just do nothing while I move back and forth cooking and carrying pots and plates, darling.
CHIMWEMWE:
For love, I assisted you today, but you did not appreciate it. So I think I will no longer cook.
TAKONDWA:
Okay, stop helping me. I will leave the farm earlier than you and rush here to cook for you so that when you come home, I will be ready to feed you. Let’s make that deal.
CHIMWEMWE:
If we do that, when are we going to finish our farm work?
TAKONDWA:
So you want me to do extra work at home and equal work in the garden?
CHIMWEMWE:
You will do extra work because cooking work is woman’s work.
TAKONDWA:
Says who? Cooking is not a woman’s job. I told you that my brother is a hotel cook.
CHIMWEMWE:
That is a job. But in the house, cooking is a woman’s job.
TAKONDWA:
Says who?
CHIMWEMWE:
Our ancestors.
TAKONDWA:
Love needs to take the lead, my husband. Would you enjoy seeing me rush back and forth while you are just sitting doing nothing? And would you enjoy seeing me finish cooking your meal, washing the plates, and getting tired and still fulfilling my matrimonial work in bed?
CHIMWEMWE:
Why not?
TAKONDWA:
This overwork is affecting my appetite. I am full with this one serving of food. I am going. You will find me asleep.
CHIMWEMWE:
Don’t sleep—wait for me. Remember what we agreed yesterday. We said that we will sleep together today.
TAKONDWA:
With the kind of work I am doing? Just finish eating and do not disturb me, please. I am resting.
SFX:
SCENE TRANSITION MUSIC
NARRATOR:
If you were Takondwa or Chimwemwe, what would you do? Do husbands in your society support their wives in housework or adjust the farm work so that women can do the cooking at home?
SCENE THREE
SFX:
SOUND OF DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING
CHIMWEMWE:
Takondwa! Takondwa! Wake up, wake up!
TAKONDWA:
(sleepy) Chimwemwe, just sleep, we will sleep together tomorrow. I am tired. Please.
CHIMWEMWE:
You promised that we would do it today. But you have postponed again. This is not fair.
TAKONDWA:
I planned for this today, and I want to. But you gave me a lot of work and headaches. Please learn to support me physically and emotionally during the day.
CHIMWEMWE:
Religion and culture say that you should not say no to your husband. Remember?
TAKONDWA:
No, religion says that our bodies belong to each other. During the day when I wanted you to draw water for me, you refused. You want me to follow religion, but you break it when you want.
CHIMWEMWE:
So how are we going to have three kids if we have not yet started making even one?
TAKONDWA:
Hoo that! I have changed my decision. With the workload that you are giving me, we will have two children, not three.
CHIMWEMWE:
Why are you changing that now?
TAKONDWA:
All the labour looking after the kids will be mine. I will age and die more quickly than you. So, tomorrow morning, I will go to the health centre to start family planning. I will have children only when I know that you are ready to help me with work.
CHIMWEMWE:
Am I the first man you have seen that doesn’t cook?
TAKONDWA:
You are my husband, and I only know about you. You are refusing to give me time to rest by helping in some work. Learn to love your wife!
CHIMWEMWE:
I love you, Takondwa. But you are not understanding what I am saying.
TAKONDWA:
It is you who need help to understand, not me. Are you forcing me now?
CHIMWEMWE:
Takondwa, Takondwa, you don’t understand.
TAKONDWA:
Okay, but let’s use condoms because I do not want to have a baby before we solve our problems.
CHIMWEMWE:
Condoms are not for married people. They are for families that are having problems and couples who are not yet married.
TAKONDWA:
They are also for families who have not decided to give birth, like us. They are one kind of family planning method. Didn’t we agree to use condoms as our family planning method? Look, I enjoy sleeping together too. But if you won’t use condoms, then we should not sleep together.
CHIMWEMWE:
Takondwa, you are being very difficult. Okay, I will use condoms just because I want to sleep with you very much.
SFX:
SCENE TRANSITION
NARRATOR:
Was Takondwa right to stop Chimwemwe when he wanted sex because she was tired? What would you do? What should couples do to make life easier for each other?
SCENE FOUR
SFX:
COCK CROWING AND KNOCK AT THE DOOR
TAKONDWA:
Chimwemwe! It’s late in the morning. Are you not going to the farm today?
CHIMWEMWE:
What time is it? I don’t feel like going to the farm today. I slept too late.
TAKONDWA:
I don’t want to go to the farm today either.
SFX:
Knocking at door. Hold under below.
NAGAMA:
(off mic) Is anybody here?
TAKONDWA:
I am coming! (louder) Yes! Hold on, I am coming. Who is there?!
NAGAMA:
(OFF MIC) It is me, Nagama, and my husband, Mr. Betha. Are you both around?
CHIMWEMWE:
Tell them I am coming. I’ll get dressed.
TAKONDWA:
Yes, we are here. Hold on.
FX:
DOOR OPENS
TAKONDWA:
Welcome, Madam Nagama and Mr. Betha. Have a seat as you wait for my husband to get dressed. How are you both?
NAGAMA:
Takondwa, thank you. I am fine and my husband Mr. Betha is fine too.
BETHA:
No. Let me answer on my own. I am not fully fine. I have rheumatism and it has affected my right shoulder. That’s why I didn’t go to the farm today.
NAGAMA:
Is that sickness? That is old age, not sickness.
SFX:
DOOR OPENING
CHIMWEMWE:
I heard that Mr. Betha is not feeling well and you, Madam Nagama, are fine. What brings you to our home this early?
NAGAMA:
I hope you know that we are a model family in this village. I am a family clan leader for nutrition and sanitation in the caregivers group and my husband is the family planning facilitator and a male champion.
CHIMWEMWE:
We have heard that. You are welcome.
BETHA:
You are newly married and we visit the newly married to discuss a few things. Have you planned how many children will you have, for example?
CHIMWEMWE:
Yes. We planned to have three when we were not married. That is still our plan.
TAKONDWA:
No, yesterday I changed my mind and we will have two children only.
CHIMWEMWE:
(ASIDE) Do not bring that argument here. We will talk about that when the visitors have gone.
BETHA:
No, Chimwemwe, it is our role to counsel the newly married. Takondwa, speak out.
CHIMWEMWE:
No, don’t speak.
TAKONDWA:
I will speak because it is bothering me. We disagree on how to share work in this house. He wants us to finish at the farm together and come home, and then I cook while he just watches me cooking and plays with his phone. And I know that I will have the burden of looking after the children alone too.
NAGAMA:
I see. Your wife’s concern, Chimwemwe, is genuine. We women do a lot of work. We go to the farm together. We come home and cook for you. And after that, you want sex, even if we are exhausted. Then if we have a baby, we look after the baby all through the night while you sleep. Is that fair?
CHIMWEMWE:
That is nature. What can we do about it?
BETHA:
My friend, it is not nature. What is natural is that your wife is female and so she bears children. That is natural because you cannot do it.
CHIMWEMWE:
Then what does she want from me?
BETHA:
She is not saying you should swap natural things. She is requesting your love.
TAKONDWA:
Yes. I told him that I want the love that he used to show me when we were not married.
NAGAMA:
We used to see you at the borehole drawing water with her.
CHIMWEMWE:
She wants me to go to draw water alone when she is cooking.
BETHA:
I drew water for my family. Now James, my son, fetches water on a bicycle for us. What is wrong with you going to the borehole when she is cooking at home? Or you chopping firewood while she cooks?
NAGAMA:
You can bring food to the dining table. You can learn how to cook, and cook for your wife some days. You should learn, because I know your mother is not a fan of allowing men to cook.
CHIMWEMWE:
Thank you, Nagama. I promise to learn. My wife was complaining that she was tired, but I thought that it was natural for her to cook.
BETHA:
It is not natural—it is something we decided as a community. We are saying that people should do work from love, not because they are forced to. Do it because you know that your wife is tired. Help her because you want to give her space to rest and to reduce her workload. When you have children, you can play with the baby while she cooks if that is what you decide.
CHIMWEMWE:
Thank you. I understand why my wife was angry with me. I was afraid that my parents would say that I was becoming a woman and that she has bewitched me. I will support her starting today.
TAKONDWA:
Thank you, my husband. Now we can decide to have three children. We agreed that we would have them two years apart because we want them to grow together.
CHIMWEMWE:
Yes, my wife and I agreed on that. We will use natural child spacing and condoms as our family planning method. We may also use non-hormonal modern methods.
NAGAMA:
Great. There are many recommended methods. Jadelle and other implants, diaphragms, foaming tablets, jelly, and emergency contraceptive pills are effective.
We meet once a fortnight on Saturdays at my home under the tree to discuss recipes. Men discuss business and can also learn some recipes. We encourage you to join this group because you may be getting pregnant sometime soon.
TAKONDWA:
Thank you for giving us good advice.
BETHA:
We advise you to have a check-up at the health centre before you have a baby to know if you have any STIs, or problems like HIV or cancer. So please go for routine check-ups to ensure safe motherhood.
CHIMWEMWE:
No problem. Before we got married, we went for testing for all of those things and they told us that we should return for another check-up after six months.
NAGAMA:
Thank you, Chimwemwe and Takondwa, for attending routine check-ups and choosing the number of children you want to have and the family planning methods that you will follow to fulfil your dreams.
TAKONDWA AND
CHIMWEMWE:
(together) Thank you.
SFX:
SIGNATURE TUNE UP AND UNDER
CHIMWEMWE:
Thank you for helping us solving our problems.
PRESENTER:
That was Katungwe Nkukankhana: (See-saw work by pushing each other), a drama about power imbalances among young couples regarding sex, work, and family planning methods.
The drama featured the following people: Chimwemwe was played by _____, Takondwa was ___, Nagama was ____, and Betha was_____. Thank you for listening.
We have opened our SMS and phone lines for discussion. With us today in the studio are (names of experts). They can answer questions on family planning issues. And ___, who is a gender expert, can discuss the gender issues in the play.
Remember, our phone numbers are ___ and our SMS lines are ___.
Acknowledgements
Contributed by: Gladson Makowa, Info-Exchange Agency Consultancy Company and Story Workshop Educational Trust.
Reviewed by: Thembi Thadzi, Programs and Partnerships Manager, Girl Effect/ZATHU, Malawi.
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