Katha Ghera, a Kathmandu-based theatre group, is presenting an interpretation of The Vagina Monologues—Yonika Kathaharu—from March 2 to March 6 at Nepal Tourism Board.  There will also be a special performance on March 8 at the Evoke Café in Jhamsikhel to coincide with International Women’s Day. 

The Vagina Monologues, written by Eve Ensler and first performed in 1996 at the Off-Broadway Westside Theatre, is today performed in more than 140 countries as part of a global movement. The play brings to light the real stories of women recounting experiences ranging from celebrating identities to confronting harassment and abuse. This is the third year that the show is being organised.

Gunjan Dixit, one of the organisers, said that the play is retuning to stage this year with a new cast that consists of 14 actors. “The original script is set in a different context, but harassment that women have to suffer through is universal,” Dixit told the Post, “We have taken the liberty to bring out stories  of the Nepali experience, which will be continuation of the #metoo movement that encouraged women around the world to share their struggles against assault and harassment .”

Dixit also shared that the rehearsals of the play is taking place in a workshop format, where the actors share their personal stories of abuse, and added that Katha Ghera wants to stage Yonika Kathaharu every year until “there is no violence on women.” 

The team of Katha Ghera have been encouraged by the overwhelming response of the audience, though, according to Dixit, there were some audience members who tried to “mansplain” to the team that their rendition was culturally inappropriate.  Nonetheless, the play attempts to fight off violence on women by bringing their story to the centre stage. 

The tickets for the play, slated to kick off at 5 in the evening,  is priced at 500 and 300 for students with a valid ID card.