UN Women has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that raise awareness on sexual and gender-based violence, disability inclusion, mental health, and climate justice.
The pledge was made in Abuja during a stage performance titled “Bunk Talk The Musical,” an interactive play designed to inspire audiences to advocate for the rights of women, girls, and marginalised groups while challenging harmful norms in Nigerian society.
Blending drama, music, and dance, the production spotlighted issues such as gender-based violence, disability inclusion, and climate justice against the backdrop of boarding school life.
The Girl Child Value Support Initiative organised it with support from UN Women.
Speaking at the event, UN Women Programme Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Nurrudeen, said gender equality is about justice and dignity rather than competition between men and women.
“Realities are constructed, there’s no doubt about it. The cultures, the traditions that we hold dear to ourselves, were not God-given; they were constructed by us. And I love the fact that the Bonk talkers have deconstructed these realities today. It is very important for us to begin to reshape the narratives, to begin to understand that the whole essence of gender equality is not about women taking the place of men but about women and girls enjoying the same rights, dignity, and opportunities as their male counterparts. I therefore urge Nigerians to become feminists to reshape societal narratives and create a better future,” he said.
The Producer and Executive Director of the Girl Child Value Support Initiative, Precious Wakili, explained that her decision to use theatre as a medium was inspired by personal experiences.
“This play is a way of passing the message, and I believe that drama has the power to transform minds. It has the power to build people, and it has the power to also educate society, and that’s why I decided to use drama today. I expect a transformed mind from every person who comes here. I expect that when everybody goes home, they become advocates for the rights of women and girls,” she stated.
Director of the play, Mr. Sola Oyeniyi, said his message was rooted in hope and resilience.
“My message is that there is hope for anybody, no matter the situation you’ve been through or what you’ve gone through. It’s all for you to reject and move forward,” he said.
Programme Manager of the Girl Child Value Support Initiative, Owa Zuriel, added that empowering girls to dream and learn has ripple effects on families, communities, and the nation.
“We really do hope that the people who watch this stage play get to understand the issues of women, because the drama tries to, as much as possible, highlight the cross-cutting issues that women and girls in Nigeria face. And we hope that there is a change of perspective, like civil change, social change, and how people treat women and girls and understand their rights as persons,” he noted.
The cast used the performance to dramatise challenges faced by young people in secondary schools, including bullying, early child marriage, gender-based abuse, and discrimination against persons with albinism.