Designing a Dramatherapy Pilot Programme for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Taraba State

Dramatherapy offers a creative and non-verbal pathway to psychological healing for GBV survivors that can complement clinical counselling approaches, and designing a culturally adapted programme for Taraba State addresses an urgent psychosocial need. This study designed a dramatherapy pilot programme for gender-based violence survivors in Jalingo and Wukari Local Government Areas, Taraba State, North East Nigeria. A professional programme design methodology was employed, drawing on psychological needs assessment of 50 GBV survivors through structured interviews at safe house facilities, consultations with 8 clinical psychologists, 10 dramatherapists, and 12 community women's group leaders, and review of British Association of Dramatherapists guidelines adapted for low-resource African settings. Assessment confirmed that survivors experienced high rates of social withdrawal, intrusive recall, and difficulties verbalising experiences, making indirect creative approaches particularly appropriate. The programme designed comprises 16 weekly sessions integrating role-play, narrative projection through puppetry and mask work, movement expression, and collaborative storytelling. Referral pathways to clinical psychological services are embedded throughout. Facilitator training requirements, supervision protocols, and ethical safeguarding procedures are specified. Expert review by ten dramatherapy and trauma-informed care specialists confirmed the programme's clinical and cultural appropriateness. Recommendations include partnering with UNIFEM and state Ministry of Women Affairs for implementation, ensuring all facilitators hold minimum accredited counselling qualifications, and conducting a rigorous longitudinal evaluation of survivor psychosocial outcomes.

Keywords: dramatherapy, gender-based violence survivors, Taraba State, psychosocial programme, trauma-informed care