The United Nations Women (UN Women) has supported the staging of a musical drama, Bunk Talk: The Musical, in Abuja to spotlight sexual and gender-based violence, disability inclusion, mental health, and climate justice.
Organised by the Girl Child Value Support Initiative, the play used music, dance, and the nostalgic setting of Nigerian boarding school life to engage audiences on pressing social issues. The performance also employed an interactive “Touch Tag” method, encouraging viewers to co-create solutions.
Producer and Executive Director of the initiative, Precious Wakili, said her inspiration came from personal experiences, stressing that drama remains a powerful tool to “transform minds, build people, and educate society.”
Director of the play, Sola Oyeniyi, described it as a blend of avant-garde and Brechtian techniques, while UN Women Programme Officer, Ibrahim Nurudeen, praised the production for challenging harmful cultural narratives and promoting gender equality.
Programme Manager, Owa Zuriel, noted that the show was more than entertainment, calling it “a call to reflection, to action, and to justice.”
The play highlighted challenges faced by young people in secondary schools, including bullying, early child marriage, gender-based abuse, and discrimination against persons with albinism. Organisers expressed hope that the production would inspire audiences to become advocates for women, girls, and marginalized groups.
