A non-governmental organization, Project Alert, has said it would be participating in the 16 days annual global activism against gender-based violence.
A statement signed by Project Alert’s executive director, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, said the aim of the campaign is to educate the public about various forms of violence against women and encourage community involvement in addressing the menace.
The statement reads
The theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism—UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls. This is highly significant in the quest to end violence against women completely, as we all know prevention is better than cure.
Running from November 25 to December 10, these 16 days mark a critical period for organizations, communities, and individuals worldwide to unite in the fight against gender-based violence. It also provides us with a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on this critical issue, foster dialogue, and drive positive change.
Today November 25th, is particularly important because it is International Day on Violence Against Women. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive issue in Nigeria, affecting individuals across diverse context. Its forms which include; physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse are rooted in unequal power dynamics between men and women.
Sexual and domestic violence particularly affects women and girls more than men and boys. It knows no boundaries, cutting across ethnic, religious, academic and social status. It is exacerbated by harmful traditional practices and conflicts as we are presently experiencing across various parts of Nigeria. Efforts to address GBV have revolved around legal reforms, advocacy for implementation of laws; active support services (shelter, legal aid and setting up of sexual assault referral centres); active involvement of men in HeforShe campaigns; and grassroots initiatives such as the setting up of community surveillance teams in some states of the federation. These various initiatives by state and non –state actors, need to be sustained and well-coordinated.
For this year’s 16 Days of Activism, our online presence will be dedicated to sharing the opinions, ideas and experiences of community members on issues of sexual and gender-based violence via our daily vox pop videos with support from Open Society Africa. By leveraging on our various social media handles, social media influencers and various platforms we are on, we intend to reach a global audience with this messages, ideas, and stories that underscore the importance of collective action and individual roles in ending gender-based violence.
Our primary goal is to educate the public about various forms of violence against women and encourage community involvement in addressing the menace it has in our society. We urge everyone from RELIGIOUS AND TRADITIONAL LEADERS, to GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CSOs, ARTISANS, CITIZENS, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, SOCIAL WORKERS to play active roles in preventing GBV by fostering a culture of zero tolerance for abuse within workplaces, homes, communities, social/religious circles and government agencies. No woman or girl need die or get maimed as a result of sexual and gender-based violence. All hands need to be on deck in the campaign to end gender-based violence.
We therefore call on all to lend their voices to the campaign. There is no seating on the fence. You are either part of the problem, or part of the solution. TOGETHER, we can create a world where women and girls can live free from fear of violence.