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Thesis Info
- LABS ID
- 00762
- Thesis Title
- Vocal Empowerment for Young Egyptian Women: Increasing Contributions to Sustainable Development
- Author
- Sarah Fahmy
- E-mail
- sarah.fahmy AT colorado.edu
- 2nd Author
- 3rd Author
- Degree
- Master of Arts
- Year
- 2019
- Number of Pages
- 119
- University
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Thesis Supervisor
- Dr. Beth Osnes
- Supervisor e-mail
- beth.osnes AT colorado.edu
- Other Supervisor(s)
- Dr. Marcos Steuernagel
- Language(s) of Thesis
- English
- Department / Discipline
- Theatre and Performance Studies
- Copyright Ownership
- Sarah Fahmy
- Languages Familiar to Author
- English, Arabic, French (elementary)
- URL where full thesis can be found
- Keywords
- Sustainable Development, Egypt, Young Women, Vocal Empowerment, Postcolonialism
- Abstract: 200-500 words
- Purpose: This study assesses the impact theatre-based vocal empowerment activities can have on young Egyptian women’s self-perception of their ability to contribute to sustainable development. It begins the complex process of dismantling the perception in Egypt by the young women in this study that proficiency in the English language is a necessary tool for effective contribution to sustainable development.
Design: Impact will be examined through the presentation and analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data collected from 55 participants from conducting the SPEAK: Vocal Empowerment curriculum in Alexandria and Aswan, Egypt between June - July 2018. The 12-session curriculum engages young women in a series of theatre activities and vocal exercises including self-authored skits, devised songs and personal declarations, developed by applied theatre practitioners and speech, language pathologists to target multiple aspects of vocal empowerment—physical, emotional, psychological, and ethical—enabling young women to achieve a greater sense of ownership of their voices and confidence in their expression.
Findings: Perceived self-efficacy and content of participants’ speech in English and in Arabic indicated an increase in all participants’ sense of vocal empowerment and their ability to express their ideas of how to sustainably develop their communities. Topics addressed included: pollution, girls’ education and literacy rates, and healthcare.
Practical Implications: This study encourages young women in Egypt and internationally to recognize the power of their voices for enacting sustainable development in their communities. It also presents policy makers with effective strategies for encouraging youth participation in sustainable development.
Value: There is relatively little evidence of and research on applied theatre, or young women’s contribution to sustainable development in Egypt. Especially the use theatre to encourage participation in sustainable development. Studies have shown that educated young women, with a high sense of self-efficacy, can elevate their entire communities out of poverty, spearheading sustainable development and advancing literacy rates in communities for future generations. Thus, the return on investing into vocally empowering young women, environmentally and socially is incalculable.