Evaluations of Forum Theatre as a Tool To Promote Positive Donkey Welfare on Lamu Island, Kenya, 2023-2024

Haddy, Emily (2024). Evaluations of Forum Theatre as a Tool To Promote Positive Donkey Welfare on Lamu Island, Kenya, 2023-2024. [Data Collection]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Service. 10.5255/UKDA-SN-857439

When targeting human behaviour change for animal welfare improvement, engaging with communities is vital. To maximise impact, welfare information needs to be culturally suitable and accessible. Equid-reliant communities can present challenges to traditionally utilised forms of engagement: they are typically resource poor, geographically isolated and access to education is often limited resulting in disparities in literacy rates. Arts-based initiatives using non-written methods of communication, such as storytelling and performance, may therefore be ideal mediums in which to convey positive welfare messages. In this study we evaluate the feasibility of using forum theatre to engage communities reliant on working donkeys with key welfare issues.

Data description (abstract)

When targeting human behaviour change for animal welfare improvement, engaging with communities is vital. To maximise impact, welfare information needs to be culturally suitable and accessible to diverse audiences. Equid-reliant communities can present challenges to traditionally utilised forms of engagement: they are typically resource poor, geographically isolated and access to education is often limited resulting in disparities in literacy rates. Arts-based initiatives using non-written methods of communication, such as storytelling and performance, may therefore be ideal mediums in which to convey positive welfare messages. In this study we evaluate the feasibility of using forum theatre to sensitise communities reliant on working donkeys to key welfare issues.
Through a process of co-creation, we conducted focus groups with donkey owners on Lamu Island, Kenya, to discuss the societal and welfare challenges they face. Themes from the focus groups were incorporated into a piece of interactive forum theatre on donkey welfare performed by Lamu Arts and Theatre Alliance, a local theatre group. The theatre piece was staged three times for the public, adapted and performed four times in local schools. To evaluate the effectiveness of the theatre piece post-performance questionnaire data was collected from adults and both pre- and post-performance data in schools to evaluate changes in knowledge and attitudes. Quantitative data was collected using Likert scales and qualitative data via open questions.
Audience feedback was positive, with 93% of adult and 98% of youth audiences strongly agreeing that they enjoyed the performance. For adults more than 85% of respondents strongly agreed that the performance raised their awareness of three key indicators: donkey health needs, donkey welfare needs and how much donkeys should carry. For youth audiences, comparison of pre-and post- performance measures demonstrated positive changes in the belief that donkeys feel pain, how much individuals liked donkeys and how confident they felt in identifying how a donkey was feeling.
Arts-based approaches have been widely used in African countries for public health messaging due to their general appeal, ability to break down barriers and reach large numbers of stakeholders, however, this approach remains rare in the animal welfare sector. The study highlights the potential value of participatory arts-based methods in promoting community engagement for positive change in animal welfare.

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