CAMPAIGN: ArtCorps Partners with Oxfam America to End Violence Against Women

ArtCorps announces a new partnership with Oxfam America and their Gender-based Violence Prevention Campaign ”Entre Vos y Yo, Una Vida Diferente” in El Salvador. Using the power of street theater, ArtCorps is working with the San Salvador-based theater group Escena X, to inspire and motivate young women and men to break the cycle of violence and poverty in their communities.

In El Salvador, one out of every three women is a victim of violence. Young women between the ages of 15 and 29 years are most often targeted, typically by male relatives and teachers. Despite growing awareness of violence against women in Latin America, public policies still lack a gender perspective—police and prosecutors continue to use discriminatory terms and practices in cases of murdered women and domestic abuse.

ArtCorps is helping Oxfam America to build the capacity of local organizations, educators and students to use theater to raise awareness about and engage communities in preventing violence against women and developing healthy relationships.

ArtCorps Artist Antonietta Inostroza Garabito, a Chilean theater artist, initiated the partnership with Oxfam America in July of 2010. Antonietta is training Escena X in technical theater skills to produce plays that focus on violence prevention. She will also train Oxfam field staff to create and present 15-minute plays about preventing domestic violence that can be used throughout the country, giving young men and women hope that "una vida diferente" (a different life), is possible.

The Executive Director of ArtCorps, Clare Dowd, is available for interviews about how the arts can transform communities. To schedule an interview, please contact J. Martha Oslin, Program Manager, Communications and Outreach: marta.oslin@artcorp.org, (978) 998-7994.