The UN in Nigeria in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has held a road Walk in Abuja, the nation’s capital as part of the activities commemorating the 2024 Human Rights Day.
The walk with the theme “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” aligns with the global theme for this year’s Human Rights Day.
The Director of the UN Information Centre in Nigeria, Ronald Kayanja, speaking exclusively to Voice of Nigeria said the walk is an awareness creation and campaign effort to amplify issues around human rights.
He added that women’s rights are human rights, thus situating the walk in the 16 Days of Activism window underscores the UN’s intolerance to all forms of violence against women and girls especially in Africa where the issues around gender are embedded in cultures.
Since the focus for year 2024 is on the importance of securing the future of human rights, Kayanja said getting the involvement of young people to know their rights, fight for their rights and stand up for their rights symbolized by their presence would further instil in them, the ideas and ideals of human rights.
“We have to deal with those deep ingrained cultural behaviours that undermine our efforts to achieve the rights of women and girls. Things like female genital mutilation,things like early marriages, in Nigeria, for instance, that’s a big problem, but there are many efforts to make sure girls go to school.Things like violence against sexual violence is prevalent everywhere, but we need legislation, we need enforcing laws, we need every actor to work hard so that we achieve this goal of eliminating violence against women and girls.”
He called on everybody to know, understand and stand up for human rights, irrespective of gender and age demographic and to ensure that these rights are not violated.
Also, the Senior Human Rights Advisor, UN Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator, Adwoa Kufuor said women’s rights are human right as such women just like have the right to choose, decide,live, work,speak publicly without fear of threats, harassment or intimidation, and to participate in all the processes that impacts on life, including political processes, elections, and how resources are allocated at the national level.
“…I’m an African woman, certainly, but I also know my privilege. I’m able to work in the UN, I’m able to walk the streets, but there are many others who are not able to, whether it’s in our communities or in their homes, who voices are silenced by culture, by norms, by expectations…”
“We need to hear these women, and we need to hear their voices, whether it’s through their community groups, women’s groups, women human rights defenders, and in all spaces, and that includes political participation, in public spaces. We need to see all our women in all our forms and shapes and sizes, regardless of where we are from, regardless of our religion, and regardless of our ethnicity.Women must speak for women.” Kufuor said.
Assessing the current economic impacts and its effects on human rights, Kufuor said for women and girls, it’s more exacerbated and decried the situation where poverty has a woman’s face rather than a human face.
The Walk brought together women groups, advocates, humanitarian workers and young people who collectively called on all to uphold the fundamental rights of every citizen and end all forms of violence, injustice, discrimination and abuse wherever they occur in the world
Blessing Ugbem, the Chairperson of The African Woman conference Next (AWC Next) who was part of the youth participants said the awareness on human rights and ending gender based violence is possible, preventable and all voices must be heard.
“Gender Based violence can be prevented and we need everyone to come together in one voice to create awareness and to make sure that the victims are protected and to create an environment for support and make sure that the perpetrators are brought to Justice.” Ugbem said.
The 2024 Human Rights Day will focus on how human rights are a pathway to solutions,and it’s critical role as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good.
The UN’s initiative this year seeks to inspire a global movement that champions human rights. The goal is to shift perceptions, counter negative stereotypes, and mobilize action to promote a culture of human rights. By emphasizing the universality and importance of human rights, the UN aims to foster a world where dignity, equality, and justice are upheld for all.
World Human Rights Day is commemorated on December 10th annually .
PIAK
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