Theatre is a powerful tool for disseminating information. BRAC started its Popular Theatre programme in 1998 to bring to light various social and political issues that affect poor women in rural communities. Through the medium of plays, possible solutions to existing problems are suggested and at the same time this programme helps to break traditional gender roles and gender segregation by encouraging and allowing women to participate in theatre groups and get involved in public performance. The main objective of the programme is to develop a popular theatre as a communication network, and as a catalyst of change in rural areas.

Each drama group also performed various stories over the months, and hundreds of different stories have been dramatised. Most importantly, this is one of the most popular of BRAC’s programmes – both BRAC staff and members feel that the popular theatre is a very enjoyable and entertaining way of learning about and discussing very serious issues.