Two members of the Sistren Theatre Collective exchange money during the performance of 'Lady Chance and the Butterfly Dance'. The group made a historic submission to Parliament yesterday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

DRAMA UNFOLDED in Gordon House yesterday. Parliamentarians allowed it, but in its wake, they were left with mixed emotions.

The 32-year-old Sistren Theatre Collective used drama dubbed 'A Slice of Reality on the Ground' to make a strong case for the legalisation of abortion yesterday during its presentation to the joint select committee, deliberating on the report of the Abortion Policy Review Advisory Group.

Making a theatrical presentation to the committee, the group highlighted the daily social and economic challenges facing some inner-city women. The drama featured the plight of women who conceive after being raped and others who have been impregnated by the 'big men' in society, who then refuse to accept paternity for their children.

The predicament of a woman with psychiatric problems who was sexually exploited by men and impregnated four times was a gripping part of the drama.

Lana Finikin, executive director of Sistren Theatre Collective, said the drama depicted real life situations in two communities in Kingston.

Different approach

Commenting on the presentation, St Aubyn Bartlett, committee member, congratulated the group on taking a different approach to dealing with the issue.

"I see it as the voice of the people speaking," he said.

Describing the presentation as historic, committee member Lisa Hanna commended Sistren for its consistency in addressing issues that impact women. "You have always come to the fore to speak about issues that relate to women who perhaps cannot come to this kind of forum to speak for themselves," she said.

She said the content was riveting and very forceful, particularly the dramatisation of the crisis faced by a woman of unsound mind who was having her fourth child.

"I've met one lady in my constituency that that had happened to, so it was very emotional for me, she has eight children," Hanna told her colleagues.

Refreshing departure

Senator Dwight Nelson said Sistren's presentation was a refreshing departure from previous submissions.

The government senator said he attended the meeting with trepidation because of the abuse and insults meted out to committee members by some members of the public who made their submissions on the controversial subject.

"I want to thank the group, for as it were, making the committee's day today (yesterday)."

He said the dramatic contribution was pleasant and meaningful.

Committee Chairman Rudyard Spencer said Sistren's presentation would go a far way in helping the committee to make a decision at the end of its deliberations.

Hyacinth Bennett, educator and government senator, was conservative in her comments about the group's performance.

Lana Franklin, executive director of Sistren Theatre Collective.

"There is no question that the group's ability to communicate in drama is outstanding and for this I commend them; as far as the message is concerned, I am contemplating," she added.

In a Gleaner interview, the executive director of Sistren gave a clear message on a "woman's right to choose".

"We are saying, give the women space, give them the right to make the decisions for themselves and give them a safe environment in which they can make that decision, so they don't have to go to the quack shop," she said.

Finikin said the group felt that if abortion remained illegal in Jamaica, women would still engage in unsafe abortions.

"When you tell me that somebody rapes me who violate my space, I must walk with that trauma for nine months and then bring it to fruition. I am not sure if anybody is going take it from me," Finikin said.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com