Notes to broadcasters
The harmful notion of male superiority is commonplace around the world, particularly in African communities. This misconception is detrimental to the image, honour, and dignity of women. The issue has even greater consequences in communities with very low literacy levels and affects rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa more severely
This story highlights the inability of traditional communities to accept that infertility can also affect men. It aims to raise public awareness about gender-based discrimination and stigma.
Three years after their wedding, Modi and his wife, Sali, had yet to have a child. This situation distressed Modi and his mother, Sadio, who pressured Sali to divorce. The household became unbearable, and the pressure remained intense. Despite this, Sali, acting as a good wife, convinced Modi to undergo testing. The results showed that Sali was indeed fertile, but Modi had a medical issue and needed treatment. Faced with this news, fear took a new form, as both Modi and his mother worried that Sali might ask for a divorce. Modi agreed to undergo treatment. Later, Sali became pregnant, and the family was happy once again.
This 20-30 minute radio drama is divided into four scenes. It can be performed by actors and actresses and recorded for airing on radio stations. Alternatively, presenters could record the voices for their own programs. The drama aims to raise awareness and educate the audience about discrimination against women in the family and community. Afterward, interactive segments that allow listeners to share their thoughts would be both interesting and productive.
You could use it to create programs on similar topics. You might ask the following questions related to negative and discriminatory attitudes in society to subject-matter specialists:
- Does infertility only affect women? Can men have infertility issues?
- Is infertility an irreversible condition?
- Is the woman solely responsible for the couple’s inability to conceive, or can the man also be responsible for their conception problems?
- How can men and women support each other in dealing with problems relating to having children?
These are just some of the questions that could help initiate discussions on injustice, stigma, and discrimination in families and communities.
Script
Characters: Modi, Sali’s husband
Sali, Modi’s wife
Sadio, Modi’s mother
SCENE 1
SADIO:
Modi, for some time now I haven’t been able to sleep at night.
MODI:
Are you sick, Mama?
SADIO:
My son, I have an illness that has been gnawing me for a long time.
MODI:
Han!
SADIO:
You have given me all the happiness I’ve ever needed, as evidenced by my home.
MODI:
Mama, that’s nothing compared to the sacrifice you made to make today possible.
SADIO:
But…
MODI:
But what, Mama?
SADIO:
Since your father’s death, my joy has been limited.
MODI:
(conciliatory) Here, Mama, we’re with you, aren’t we?
SADIO:
Yes, but you cannot fill the void that surrounds me, unfortunately.
MODI:
What is the void that surrounds you, Mama?
SADIO:
And then….
MODI:
And then what?
SADIO:
Loneliness is a disease that requires the presence of others, and I suffer so much.
MODI:
What’s hurting you so much?
SADIO:
The fear of dying without seeing my grandchildren!
MODI:
Phew!
SADIO:
My son, no family line can continue without children.
MODI:
(Big sigh)
SADIO:
So, understand me when I say I’m sick because I’m very worried.
MODI:
(Stunned) Hey, Mama!
SADIO:
There’s nothing surprising about that, it’s the law of nature.
MODI:
(Laughing) You’re scaring me, Mama!
SADIO:
You really have something to worry about, because a childless family is a generation gone forever.
MODI:
You worsen my condition.
SADIO:
It’s obvious that you’ve been suffering for a long time too.
MODI:
Ah, Mama, you too!
SADIO:
What is a childless family worth?
MODI:
Ah, Mama, these things…!
SADIO:
I’ve understood you for a long time because you do everything you can to avoid bringing up the subject.
MODI:
Mama, you should stay out of certain things.
SADIO:
Yes, I could, except that some things concern me primarily.
MODI:
What do you mean, Mama?
SADIO:
I want grandchildren, Modi!
MODI:
God is the giver, Mama.
SADIO :
Yes, God gives, but the woman must be fertile.
MODI :
Who’s not fertile, Mama?
SADIO :
(Angrily and loudly) Your wife!
MODI :
Come on, Mama, don’t get upset; if you yell, she’ll hear you.
SADIO :
I don’t care, let her hear me, that’s what I want.
MODI :
Calm down, Mama, everything’s going to be alright.
SADIO :
Calm me down, we’ve been married for three years since and you still can’t think of anything to say except to calm down!
MODI :
I’m worried too, but not desperate.
SADIO :
Well, you need to open your eyes because that thing will never give you a child.
MODI :
Mama, don’t say that.
SADIO :
In any case, if you don’t do something, you’re going to be left without an heir, or you’re going to die without one.
MODI :
She’s going take a test so we know what’s wrong.
SADIO :
There’s nothing to analyze, you have a barren wife and that’s it.
MODI :
Barren, my wife, no that’s not possible!
SCENE 2
MODI :
(Sighing in the bedroom), eh!
SALI :
Modi, what’s wrong, are you sick?
MODI :
Leave me alone.
SALI :
How can I leave you alone when I see you sighing!
MODI :
Well, let me brood over my bitterness, that’s all I ask.
SALI :
I’m your wife, so I have the right to know what’s wrong with you.
MODI :
Do you really care about what’s wrong with me?
SALI :
More than anything in the world.
MODI :
If that’s the case, then go and do the tests I’ve been asking you to do.
SALI :
I’ve also told you a thousand times to come with me, because that’s what being a couple is all about!
MODI :
Well, your stubbornness has made things difficult for my mother.
SALI :
(Angrily) What does your mother have to do with this?
MODI :
(In a warning tone) Sali, be careful what you say.
SALI :
I didn’t say anything wrong.
MODI :
I’ve told you a thousand times that if we go on without having children, it will upset my mother.
SALI :
Well, don’t I suffer from it too?
MODI :
Why don’t you go and do the test so we can find out whether you can conceive!
SALI :
I don’t disagree, but I want you to come with me.
MODI :
But why do you want me to go with you?
SALI :
Because infertility can be attributed to either the woman or the man.
MODI :
Who told you that?
SALI :
I haven’t forgotten my lessons on reproduction.
And then…
MODI :
And then what?
SALI :
We know many women who were wrongfully divorced and who have had children elsewhere!
MODI :
I’m aware of that, but such is not my case.
SALI :
Modi is stubborn as only a person who doesn’t want to understand.
MODI :
(Serious tone) Sali, I want to be frank with you. If you don’t want to do this test, then our marriage may be in trouble.
SALI :
(Disappointed) That’s what I thought.
MODI :
We’ve been together for three years and you haven’t even had a miscarriage.
SALI :
Were you able to get me pregnant in the first place ?
MODI :
Sali don’t insult me.
SALI :
I deserve your respect too.
MODI :
It’s not my fault you couldn’t get pregnant, because I’m good in bed.
SALI :
Whose fault is that, since I’m also fulfilling my marital duty?
MODI :
You have answered your own question.
SALI :
(Starts crying) Hihi- hihi! Then divorce me if that’s your mother’s verdict.
SADIO :
(Opens her door) Modi, why is she crying, did you hit her?
MODI :
No Mama, I didn’t hit her; I’ve been telling her for a long time to go for tests and she refuses.
SADIO :
You’re stupid, if she refuses it’s because she doesn’t want to have a child with you.
MODI :
She wants me to participate in the test as well.
SADIO :
Why should you do the test? Nothing is wrong with you and you’re not going anywhere with her.
MODI :
I’m healthy and fertile!
SADIO :
Listen to me, if she does not want to give me grandchildren, then divorce her.
MODI :
(Surprised) Uh, Mama!
SADIO :
(Closing the door) If you’re my son, divorce her and find yourself a real wife.
MODI :
(With an ambiguous tone) But Mama, I love her all the same!
SALI :
(Whining) Modi if you love me then come with me so my marriage can be saved.
MODI :
(In a low voice) Okay, but we can’t let Mama know.
SALI :
I promise you, I won’t spill the beans. (They go out to do the tests)
MODI :
I know you’re just as affected by this as I am, but you have to understand my situation.
SALI :
I understand you, Modi. You need to have this child, but if we understood each other and went through this test together, God is merciful and will come to our rescue!
MODI :
I care about you very much, Sali, so we’re both going to do the tests.
SCENE 3
MODI :
I’m doomed!
SALI :
Come on, pull yourself together.
MODI :
Hey, Sali, I blew it.
SALI :
No, my love, you did not!
MODI :
I couldn’t imagine that I was the problem in this family!
SALI :
Don’t feel guilty, you couldn’t have known until after the tests.
MODI :
Sali, forgive me for torturing you.
SALI :
I have nothing to forgive you for, my love.
MODI :
I’ve traumatized you all this while thinking you were sick… (weeping)
SALI :
Don’t cry, anything is possible in life.
MODI :
What should I say to my mother and how do I tell her ? (he continues to whine)
SALI :
If you take your medication normally, anything is possible.
MODI :
Sali, I care about you, you’re my whole life… (continues whining)
SALI :
My darling, my future is with you and nowhere else.
MODI :
Sali, for God’s sake don’t leave me
SALI :
I’ve always believed in your love for me, so I’m yours for the rest of my life, come what may.
MODI :
(Crying) Hey Sali, I’ve been a fool, I’m losing my soul with this grief.
SADIO :
(Opens the door) Modi, what’s wrong, why are you crying?
MODI :
Hey Mama, we accused her wrongly!
SADIO :
(Angry) Nonsense, we only told the truth and if she doesn’t agree she should leave this house right now.
MODI :
Hey Mama, I’m the one who’s sick (continues whining)
SALI :
Modi, uh Modi don’t cry, I’ll stand by you all the way. (She starts crying)
SADIO :
(Stunned) Are you trying to drive me crazy or something?
MODI :
The test results showed that Sali is indeed fertile but that I don’t have enough sperm eh, Mama!
SADIO :
Hey, Modi, what’s going to happen to me?
MODI :
We should ask Sali to forgive us.
SADIO :
Forgiveness is not enough, we humiliated her, we violated her honor and dignity (crying).
SALI :
No, Mama, I understand your state of mind and this is common to all in-laws.
SADIO :
Sali, I’ve been selfish and unfair to you.
SALI :
Mama, I don’t mind, I’m not blaming you for anything.
SADIO :
I couldn’t imagine that men could also be sterile, let alone my own son.
SALI :
He’s not sterile, he’ll be fine once he completes his treatment.
SADIO :
Sali, please don’t leave us.
SALI :
No, I won’t leave you, it’s all part of being married.
SADIO :
Shame on us, forgive us for our ignorance!
SALI :
Mama, marriage is for better or for worse, I’m prepared to go to any lengths with your son.
SADIO :
I thought you were cheating on my son.
SALI :
Hey, Mama, how can I? I love my husband and I promise you’ll have your grandchildren.
SADIO :
Haaan!
SALI :
I promise, go to bed.
MODI :
Mama, Sali is a good woman, I told you.
SADIO :
My son, it’s in difficult times that you recognize a good person, so take care of her.
MODI :
Mama, it’s the lesson of life!
SALI :
Let her go to bed, she’s tired.
SADIO :
Your words give me hope my daughter, sleep well (she closes the door).
SCENE 4
MODI :
Where have you been?
SALI :
Surprise!
MODI :
Answer me.
SALI :
(Happy) Surprise Modi!
MODI :
(Lost) But, but…
SALI :
I’m pregnant!
MODI :
(Surprised and loud) Han!
SALI :
I went for a pregnancy test.
MODI :
(Happy) So it’s confirmed!
SALI :
(Happy) It’s confirmed!
MODI :
(Joyfully) Mama, Mama, come out quick!
SADIO :
Why are you shouting my name like that?
MODI :
SURPRISE MAMA!
SADIO :
I’m wary of your surprises Modi you’ve made me several without substance.
MODI :
Sali is pregnant!
SADIO :
What?
MODI :
Yes, promises are made to be kept, Sali is indeed pregnant, Mama.
SADIO :
(Coming out of her room) Glory to God! Sali you were able to do this for me after all the bullying I put you through!
SALI :
Mama, we’re a family, harmony includes joy and tears too!
SADIO :
(Overwhelmed with joy) You’re a blessing to this family.
MODI :
I told you, Mama, Sali is a wonderful woman.
SADIO :
(Monologuing) How could I be so hard on her!
SALI :
Mama, don’t feel guilty, your reprimands are a blessing to me.
SADIO :
(Reassured) Thank God for making me witness a day unlike any other. How wonderful!
SALI :
Mama, our duty is to shower you with happiness.
MODI :
Well said Sali, we’ll die trying!
SADIO :
You are pure light and joy, my daughter, in these unholy days. (She starts singing and dancing while tapping a pan).
MODI :
Thank you Sali for giving me back my joy, thank you for the offspring you’re about to give me (he whimpers).
SALI :
(She too starts whimpering) You deserve this, because I know you’re an excellent husband. Thank you for believing me.
SADIO :
My children, thank you for bringing joy back to the family; may God bless you.
MODI AND SALI :
Amen!
MODI :
I promise you, Sali, I won’t contradict you again for the rest of my life.
SADIO :
If you contradict her again, I’ll curse you!
SALI :
No, Mama, contradiction is the key to growth, but you have to know how to reason.
SADIO :
You know more about this modern world than any of us, so we’ll follow you.
MODI :
Mama’s right, if it hadn’t been for your great wisdom, I would have rejected the woman of my dreams!
SADIO :
God is with you, you’re lucky!
MODI :
I’m going to be a tireless preacher wherever I can to stop the stigmatization of women.
SADIO :
I’ll support you in this, my son, because it has to be done.
SALI :
(Laughing) Is our society ready to listen to you on this subject?
MODI :
(Firmly) We have to make sure that mentalities move along with the world.
SADIO :
To know is to learn not to cause harm. Since you’ve taught us, we’re going to sensitize others.
SALI :
Then may God accompany you in your mission.
MODI :
Amen!
End
Acknowledgements
Contributed by: Drissa Fomba, President of AMTRAD (Association Mali Traditionnel), Bamako-Mali
Reviewed by : Ousmane Sawadogo, Gender Equality and Inclusion Officer, Farm Radio International; and Adiara Ouattara, Midwife at the Centre de santé de référence de Sikasso, Mali.
This resource has been produced thanks to the “HÉRÈ – Bien-être des femmes au Mali” initiative, which aims to improve the well-being of women and girls in terms of sexual and reproductive health, and to strengthen the prevention of and response to gender-based violence in the regions of Sikasso, Ségou, Mopti and the district of Bamako in Mali. The project is being implemented by the HÉRÈ – MSI Mali Consortium, in partnership with Radios Rurales Internationales (RRI) and Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), with funding from Global Affairs Canada.