RFQ/UNFPA/LKA/26/001

Description

Scope of the RFQ: UNFPA is implementing a national Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) campaign on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response under the campaign title “It’s Not Okay | ඒක හරි නෑ | அது சரியல்ல.” The campaign aims to challenge harmful gender and social norms, increase awareness of available survivor support services, encourage positive bystander action, and strengthen community accountability through integrated communication and grassroots engagement strategies. As part of the campaign’s community mobilization component, UNFPA proposes to onboard an experienced theatre company to conduct interactive forum theatre performances across selected districts in Sri Lanka. These performances will serve as a key tool to engage rural and underserved communities in dialogue on GBV prevention, healthy relationships, gender equality, and survivor support pathways. The campaign targets reaching a minimum of 100,000 individuals at community level through theatre-based outreach interventions and related engagement activities. Description of Required Goods and/or Services The selected theatre company will be responsible for designing and implementing community-based theatre interventions aligned with the campaign’s Social and Behaviour Change Communication objectives. The scope of services will include: Development of Community Theatre Performances Design and perform interactive forum theatre productions focused on GBV prevention, gender equality, respectful relationships, and positive masculinity. Integrate survivor-sensitive messaging and referral information into performances. Ensure performances are culturally sensitive, community-friendly, and delivered in local languages relevant to the target areas. Community Engagement and Dialogue Facilitation Conduct facilitated discussions and audience interaction sessions following performances. Utilize forum theatre approaches that encourage audience participation, reflection, and dialogue on social norms and harmful behaviors. Engage men and boys in discussions on their role in preventing violence and promoting respectful relationships. Awareness Raising on Services and Referral Pathways Raise awareness on available referral pathways and survivor-centred support services, including psychosocial support, legal assistance, health services, and national helplines. Support dissemination of campaign materials and referral information during community engagements. Youth and School-Based Engagement Conduct awareness sessions targeting school-aged girls and boys on gender equality, respectful behaviour, consent, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Promote safe help-seeking behavior and awareness of available support mechanisms. Geographic Coverage The selected theatre company will conduct 12 performances across selected districts. Colombo Kandy Matara Batticaloa Anuradhapura Jaffna Mullaitivu Nuwara Eliya Monaragala Ampara Performances will primarily take place at divisional and community level, including public gathering spaces, schools, village centres and community events. Objectives of the Theatre Outreach Campaign Raise awareness among women and girls at community level on available referral pathways and support services for survivors of GBV and how to safely access them. Engage men and boys in conversations on positive masculinity, non-violence, and their role in preventing and responding to GBV. Empower school-aged girls and boys with knowledge on gender equality, respectful relationships, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including available information and support services. Promote community dialogue and challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours that normalize violence. Strengthen grassroots awareness and community ownership of GBV prevention efforts through participatory and culturally relevant communication approaches. The selected service provider(s) shall be responsible for the execution of the following core deliverables: Pr