A ground-breaking project which uses drama to highlight the issues surrounding forced marriage and “honour” violence will get underway at Westminster on Wednesday (13 February).
Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Paul Farrelly has invited representatives of the Borderlines programme at the town’s New Vic Theatre to visit Parliament before the start of a tour of a drama called All Our Daughters?
New Vic Borderlines works with people at risk of being socially marginalised due to their position, status, class or culture.
Established in 1999, Borderlines “has undertaken work of international significance and is acknowledged as a national beacon for the ways theatre can be used to work within the community”.
All Our Daughters? aims to increase understanding of forced marriage and “honour” violence so that young people, teachers and other professionals are able to spot tell-tale signs and help those who may be at risk.
Supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s forced marriage unit, All Our Daughters? will tour to theatres, schools and community venues across the country from 25 February.
The drama was written by New Vic Borderlines director Susan Moffat who says, “When All Our Daughters? first toured throughout Staffordshire and Stoke, 12 forced-marriage protection orders were taken out on behalf of young people. The youngest was a girl of nine.
“Around 180 frontline professionals who attended a conference we delivered at the New Vic with our partners reported that they felt more confident about how to support people at risk.”
A forced marriage unit spokeswoman said, “We welcome the valuable work that the New Vic Theatre is doing to raise awareness of this issue and the expansion of the All Our Daughters? project through a national tour.”
Susan Moffat added, “Being able to take this production out nationally will have an impact on the lives of many young people and families, and will support communities in standing together to ensure that forced marriage and ‘honour-based’ violence is eradicated.”