Friday, 01 May 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM ~ Thousands continue to struggle for survival amidst the rubble of destroyed homes and villages, while statistics and disaster reports often vanish in the flood of information. Messages of humanity, frequently overlooked by mainstream media, have now come alive on stage through a groundbreaking theater performance marking International Women's Day 2026.
On Saturday, March 7, 2026, the Bung Karno Auditorium of the Yayasan Perguruan Sultan Iskandar Muda (YPSIM) on Jalan Sunggal, Medan, hosted an innovative collaboration between journalism and the arts. The Indonesian Women Journalists Forum (FJPI) staged "When the Water Comes, Women Survive" to show solidarity with disaster survivors in Sumatra. The performance was aligned with UN Women's 2026 International Women's Day theme: "Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls."
Performance Journalism: Reporters Take the Stage
The play embraced the concept of performance journalism, where journalists step out from behind their desks to convey the realities of disasters in Sumatra through artistic expression."This is a new creative direction in journalism. Messages can now be delivered not only through TV, radio, newspapers, or online media, but also through theatrical performances. It's an innovative way to draw attention to events," said FJPI Chairperson Khairiah Lubis.
Developed in partnership with Rumah Literasi Ranggi (RLR) and the Medan Teater Tronic (MTT) theater group, the project stemmed from journalists' firsthand documentation of disasters on-site. According to the National Disaster Management Agency, around 13,000 survivors in Sumatra continue to live in emergency shelters ahead of Ramadan, with some residing in tents, renting homes, or staying on the foundations of their destroyed houses."The situation has barely improved. Especially before Ramadan, the refugees still need support. We are grateful to all partners who have supported the combination of art, journalism, and social action from the start, including YPSIM, Tzu Chi, DAAI TV, and ballet artist Erna Balet," Khairiah added.
The play's title, "When the Water Comes, Women Survive," highlights the central role of women in disaster situations. Written by Ranggini Krisna, the piece reflects the real concerns journalists observed among survivors.
"A script is just words until actors bring it to life on stage. Then the words carry a message," explained Ranggini, founder of Rumah Literasi Ranggi.One particularly moving scene featured Emma Matondang portraying a mother who has lost almost everything in a flood yet must remain strong for her children.
"The mother tries to comfort her children even as she grieves," Emma said.
Beyond Emotions: Raising Awareness
Director Hafiz Taadi emphasized that the collaboration between journalists and artists creates a new medium for social messaging. The performance aimed not to evoke tears alone, but to heighten awareness."It's not about making the audience cry but reminding them that behind every disaster are real people. Even when the news is silent, their struggle continues," Hafiz said.
Around 20 performers participated, including five journalists, three theater artists from Medan Teater Tronic and Teater Dermaga, and eight YPSIM students who rehearsed intensively for two months. The mix of generations created a unique stage dynamic.Photography Captures the Reality
Alongside the theater, a photography exhibition depicted disaster realities. Photographer Mafa Yuli, a member of FJPI North Sumatra, presented images of survivors on-site."Recovery is still far from complete. Many children have not returned to school," Mafa noted. The photos also supported a fundraising campaign for affected areas in Sumatra.
Call for Environmental and Disaster AwarenessIn his speech, Dr. Sofyan Tan, member of Indonesia's Parliament Commission X and founder of YPSIM, stressed that natural disasters are consequences of human actions, not divine punishment.
"Natural disasters in North Sumatra, Padang, and other regions are caused by human intervention, not divine wrath. This event not only raises funds but also raises awareness for environmental protection," Sofyan Tan said. (INDC)REPORTER: Darmailawati | Sri EndangLasmiaty
