Expressing Our Gender Freedom: Radio Drama as advocacy for Freedom of Expression for Lesbian Women in Lesotho

Abstract

This study explores the use of radio drama as a tool for advocacy for lesbian women in Lesotho. It focuses on the freedom of expression for lesbian women and explores how radio drama can be used as an advocacy tool for freedom of expression. The study argues that radio drama, through its practice-based approach, can serve as a powerful medium for amplifying the voices of lesbians in Lesotho. It uses Practice as Research (PaR) as its research design with radio drama as the data collection method. PaR enabled the participants, in the research, to become co-creators and co-researchers. Radio drama was an engaging and immersive approach that presented the research process in a more relatable and humanizing way. Chapter 1 looks at the background to the study, problem statement, the aim, research question, rationale and the literature that informs it. Chapter 2 looks at the conceptual framework of advocacy for freedom of expression for lesbian women in Lesotho. Chapter 3 looks at the method used to carry out the research. Chapter 4 is the beginning of the analysis chapters where the matter of exploration of radio drama method is addressed. Chapter 5 takes closer look at techniques and styles used in the development and production of the radio drama play. Chapter 6 concludes the study. The study demonstrates that radio drama has a great potential to serve as an advocacy tool in Lesotho due to its high rate listenership and ability to reach the remote areas in Lesotho. It also raises questions about the efficacy of bringing effective social change and transformation to the kingdom nation that still abides by the kingdom laws and deeply into culture through the medium of radio. It concludes that the barriers and restrictions to freedom of expression for lesbians in Lesotho is a contentious topic that warrants further exploration and critical analysis to uncover the ways in which discriminatory laws intersect to silence lesbian voices and limit their autonomy. To promote freedom of expression and social inclusion for the lesbians, this study recommends the use of an integrated Applied Theatre to Radio Drama to further community engagement for extended social change and awareness.