YOCUPA
Project Name: YOCUPA (Youth Cultural Promotion Association)
Project Leader: Dr. Beck Banda (he/him)
Area of Focus: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Location: Zambia, Africa
Partners Since 2022
Fundraising Goal: $26,000
YOCUPA was founded in 1996 to use theatre and the performing arts as a means to influence social behavior changes in communities of Zambia with high numbers of reported sexual and gender based violence incidents as evidenced by the Zambia Police Victims Support Unit annual reports. Many more incidents, of course, go undocumented.
Prior to forming this new initiative, 7ASIDE-ASHAGs (Anti-Sexual Harassment Groups), YOCUPA observed there was no comprehensive intervention taking place in the affected communities. They decided to be that intervention.
Reaching YOCUPA’s target fundraising goal means that victims of sexual harassment have access to peer-to-peer awareness workshops, poignant performances by the Theatre For Community Action and rehabilitation center resources. All this, paired with your help, will have a meaningful impact on reducing the frequency of sexual violence in target learning institutions, places of work and worship, homes and community spaces.
*Current districts served include Lusaka, Mansa, Luwingu, Chipata, Chadiza, Kabwe, Kapiri, Solwezi, Mazabuka, Chingola and Mumba.