Daina the story teller

Give her the pen and she will write an inspiring story based on real life issues for a film or song. And give her a microphone to sing or stage to show off her skill in acting, you will be amazed at how she will excel.

She is simply a multi-talented storyteller and creator.

This is an inspiring story of a Lilongwe-based young woman Daina Zakochera, who wears many hats as a writer, producer, actress and musician. She is not an ordinary artist because her compositions is advocacy in nature, fighting for change, especially for vulnerable groups in society.

Zakochera has started her artistic voyage on a high note by producing a movie titled Atsikana and a theme song for the same movie titled Msungwana.

Basically, the two projects seek to advocate for the rights and well-being of vulnerable girls and young women who are exposed to various challenges such as human trafficking, sexual violence and forced labour as well as prostitution. The song was officially released on Monday last week while the movie will premiere on November 26 at a venue to be announced later.

The film will be released during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence to contribute to the worldwide campaign.

“Atsikana tackles violence against girls, including sexual exploitation and human trafficking. It is in line with all global, national and community efforts aimed at ending all forms of violence against women and girls as well as uplifting their rights, including a right to education,” said Kennedy Zakochera, the executive director of the movie and song.

On her part, Daina, the main actress in Atsikana, said: “I feel sorry for a Malawian girl-child who is exposed to all sorts of abuse and challenges due to her position in society.

“Gender inequalities that are fuelled by predominant cultural practices have reduced girls and young women to almost nothing. We need to reverse the situation because women and girls have potential just like anyone else, thus they need equal space.”

Daina is a married woman and her serious acting career dates back to her secondary school days. She acted in her school stage plays, and participated in several competitions. She is decorated with such awards as “best actress” and “best English speaker”.

She said she embraced film and music as vehicles to advance change for vulnerable girls in the country.

Daina says:“The specific message that I am sending through my film and music is the need to give girls education, not necessarily forcing them to marry or making them sexual slaves.

“It’s sad that majority of girls and young women are being trafficked to other countries and locations where they end up as labourers, child brides and prostitutes. This has to end. We have to join hands to protect vulnerable women and girls from harm and keep them in school.”

She said that giving girls and women an education and protection is key to achieving sustainable development, saying most indicators of development globally have a female face.

“You can agree with me that most challenges the world is facing today have a female face. Almost everything, be it climate change, poverty, food security, gender or HIV and Aids are affecting the girl child and the woman big time. This calls for concerted actions to lessen the burden of a woman,” Daina said.

Atsikana’s director Ian Evan Chisekula described Daina as a talented young woman who has the zeal to change the life of women and girls.

“One thing I like about Daina is that she creates powerful stories that revolve around real life issues and advocates for change at the same time,” he said.

Chisekula said Daina does not only act but has clear arguments to make in her storylines. He gave the example of girls dropping out of school due to sexual violence and forced marriage which Daina says should come to an end.

“I am happy to direct her movie which tells an inspiring story and advocates for change in society,” he said.