A Storytelling Workshop That Gave Us More Than a Script

Participants at the Shades of Us Script Development and Storytelling Workshop in Abuja

By Cynthia Umeh

“So… why storytelling?”

I asked one of the participants during a short break while the projector warmed up. She gave a small laugh, looked down at her notebook, and said, “Because stories make people feel. And when people feel, they begin to care. That is where change starts.”

That moment captured exactly what we hoped to achieve on July 25, 2025, when eleven storytellers, advocates, and creatives came together for our Script Development and Storytelling Workshop in Abuja, organized by Shades of Us. The focus of this particular session was something many people experience but don’t always recognize: emotional abuse in intimate relationships.

The workshop began with a welcome from Cynthia Umeh, our Program Officer, who set the tone for the day. She explained that we would be working toward developing a communications guide and script that brings to life the subtle, damaging reality of emotional abuse. This type of abuse does not always come with visible scars, but it leaves lasting wounds. Our goal was to tell a story that would help others see what often goes unseen.

After a short pre-test to understand where everyone was starting from, the space quickly shifted from quiet observation to active engagement. Participants began sharing, asking questions, and diving into the purpose of storytelling for change.

Yecenu Sesatu, our Program Officer for Community Engagement, spoke about the vision of Shades of Us and our two key strategies: the Mobile Cinema Project, which uses powerful local films to spark dialogue in communities, and our Individual and Organization Capacity Strengthening approach, which trains individuals and organizations to tell stories that challenge stigma and injustice. 

To show what this looks like in action, we screened FLOW, a short film that explores the stigma around menstruation. The room was quiet as the film ended, but the silence was followed by deep conversation, proof that stories open doors for reflection and truth.

Later, Ramatu Ada Ocheklike, our founder, led a practical session on gender mainstreaming in storytelling. We did not just talk about theory. We talked about real life. Participants explored concepts like gender equality, equity, integration, and what it means to be gender transformative in the stories we tell. Through a values clarification exercise, we examined how our assumptions shape the characters and narratives we create, and why we must be intentional in how we portray gender in the media.

The heart of the day was the creative session. We split into three groups and built a story together from scratch. We imagined a confident, plus-sized woman in what seemed like a happy relationship. Slowly, her partner’s comments about her body turned from compliments to criticism. He would joke about her in public. He framed it all as love, but it was emotional abuse. Eventually, she recognized the patterns and walked away.

The turning point in the room came when Ramatu said, “Sometimes, it is like the red flag was not even red. It was pink.” That was it. That was the title. Sometimes the Red Flag is Pink. The name hit hard because it spoke to something many people have experienced: the confusion and denial that come with emotional abuse, and how it can be masked as affection. Everyone nodded. Some smiled. Others just sat with it. But we all knew… we had our story.

We worked on developing the story guide at the workshop and will be producing the script and film soon. Stay tuned. 

When it is ready, Sometimes the Red Flag is Pink will be screened across communities, universities,  through our Mobile Cinema Project. But beyond that, this workshop reminded us of the power of a safe room, a shared goal, and people willing to be honest.

We left that day with more than just a title. We left with connection, clarity, and commitment. Everyone contributed. Even the quietest voices found space to speak. And that is how we know we are on the right path.

Here are four things we took away from the day:

• Emotional abuse is often invisible, but just as harmful as physical violence.

• Storytelling must be intentional if it is going to challenge harmful norms.

• Safe spaces allow real stories to emerge.

• Collaboration does not just strengthen stories; it brings them to life.

We are just getting started. More sessions, more stories, more storytellers. Because sometimes, the red flag really is pink. And we need stories that help people recognize it.

Creative Session at the Shades of Us Script Development and Storytelling Workshop in Abuja