The United Nations entity for gender equality, UN Women Nigeria has called on the media to increase its collaboration with other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and agencies to improve coverage and reportage of Gender-Based Violence in the country.
Mr Lansana Wonneh, Deputy Representative UN Women Nigeria made the call at a media breakfast on the 16 Days of Activism in Abuja to unveil activities lined up for the days’ activism which begins on November 25 through December 10.
He said told the meeting that GBV has become a pandemic globally as “One in three women across the world will experience violence in their lifetime,” making it imperative “for us to strengthen cooperation with media practitioners during the campaign period, review the activities of UN Women and its partners, as well as amplify public awareness on the need for prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.”
Speaking to the statistics from Nigeria, Tosin Akibu a Programme Specialist, Spotlight Initiative, UN Women Nigeria, said “11,200 rape cases were reported in 2020, including children raped to death”.
She also asked the media to amplify the issues which includes; “Advocating for inclusive, comprehensive and long-term strategies,…Amplifying the success stories …Promoting the leadership of women and girls in their diversity and ….Engaging Generation Equality Forum commitment makers to collaborate in the implementation of bold new commitments.”
The series of activities to commemorate the days of activism includes a novelty football match and a 17-minute movie titled “Royal Decree” that demonstrates the harmful effects of female genital mutilation and the roles traditional leaders and male champions can play in eradicating the harmful practice.
The 16 Days of Activism against violence against women is celebrated every year to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls across the world.
The campaign runs from November 25 to December 10 of every year.
It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
PIAK
