Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania
Abstract
Background: The HIV epidemic in the Sub Saharan (SSA) region disproportionately affects women and girls and is further concentrated amongst prisoners. Given the male dominated prison environment, women’s health needs are frequently ill resourced. This research investigated the health inequalities of Zimbabwean women prisoners. Methods: Using multi-stakeholder qualitative and theatre performance-based practice as research methodology, within an art-based research approach, we examined the extent to which prison Forum Theatre validated prior research findings, fostered dialogic communication, and fuelled discourse to generate solutions to women prisoner rights to health and equivalence of care. Results: Analysis found five themes: female vulnerabilities and rejecting the criminal identity; group solidarity against prison security protocols and rights to confidential health care; prisoner peer hierarchies and threat to well-being; challenging the prison system; and multiple perspectives beyond the performance. Conclusions Forum theatre offers an innovative medium to empower women prisoners and actualize sexual health rights based approaches in prisons in Zimbabwe, and Africa using a transformative sustainable development approach
