PWWSD in Nablus presents its Latest Play “Heyye Hek: She is Herself"

The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development presented an experimental show for “heyye hek”, a play which was finalized after 5 months of constant work and rehearsal. Critics, authors and researchers shared their observations and admiration of the plot-line of the play, which tackles the issues of the patriarchal system, oppression and injustice women encounter due to man’s control of all family members, and his exclusion of their opinions.

The 45-minute play is written by the civic educator in the youth center at the PWWSD Mayssara Suhoh, and directed the author Taher Baakir. 5 young students from Al-Najah and The-Opened universities participated in acting, as they were volunteers in the youth center at the organization.

According to Mayssara Suboh, the idea of the play was developed in cooperation with a group of young students, 17 of which were trained for the play, but it only 5 were involved in the acting.

On his side, director Tahar Bakeer talked about social, women’s and children’s issues, elaborating on the issue of the last son who is usually “spoiled rotten”, and the problem of the “oppressed girl”. He also emphasized the issue of social hypocrisy, of how a man enfolds two personalities, which are reflected in his self-treatment and the way he treats his sons and his daughters at home. This adversely affects the family unity and coherence, in an atmosphere void from dialogue and understanding. In such environment women usually are dehumanized, degraded and devalued to an extent that they become a furniture accessory.

Ima’s Hannani, the student at Al-Najah University, who played the role of the mother said: “the play tackles several social issues including the relationship between men and women and their children, as it reflects the PWWSD’s vision to combat violence, discrimination and marginalization of women. In parallel with the organization’s efforts, it aims empower and strengthen women in all aspects of life.”

The play aims to urge the responsible parties to apply modern family laws, and strive to achieve social justice and gender equality, as well as to boost the legal age allowed to marry daughters.

Majdi Khatatba, the student at the Opened University, who played the role of the father, said that the play touches upon the issue of oppression in the family, caused by man’s solo decisions, as it also touches upon other issues like early marriage, unemployment and girls’ right to higher education