Fighting gender-based violence through arts

The theme of the event was “Orange the World, Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect.”

Child and girl rights non-governmental organisation, Plan International Nigeria has called for more advocacy and programmes to address Gender Based Violence in the country.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion and art exhibition on Gender Based Violence in commemoration of 16 days of activism 2020 in Abuja Acting Country Director, Plan International Nigeria, Mrs. Jummai Lawan Musa said in the Nigerian patriarchal society, women and girls are often suppressed and denied the right to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

She noted that this act had continue to prevent them from achieving their maximum potentials.

The theme of the event was “Orange the World, Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect.”

Every year, the 16 days of activism Against Gender Violence starts on 25 November which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The 16 Days of Activism end on 10 December (International Human Rights Day), and during this time international organisations highlight 16 key facts on intimate partner and sexual violence against women.

Mrs. Jummai noted that in partnership with two talented female artists Urunwa Arts and Uche Uguru, Plan International was contributing to the campaign against gender-based violence through the use of art.

She said: “as an organization, we are guided by the commitment to ensure that by 2024, 10 million Nigerian girls would be supported to learn, lead, decide and thrive through the transformation of power relations in their favour.”

This is why “we are building on the momentum and achievements made in previous years through the campaign and we believe in the need to collectively join resources to ensure the adequate protection of women and girls from ball forms of violence.”

Holding down the voice of girls

One of the exhibitors, Chidimma Urunwa in her remarks said she was inspired to deploy art to promote gender equality due to her experiences growing up.

“An environment that tends to hold down the voice of girls has always been a pain in my heart and this exhibition is part of lending my voice against this norm,” she said.

“Before gender, we are all humans. So, art offers me the medium to express the pain and create awareness on behalf of all girls who have be survivors of any form of violence on the basis of their gender.”

In his message, the Head of Development Cooperation, High Commission of Canada to Nigeria Mr. Kelvin Tokar pledged commitment to support donors both local and international aimed at improving lives especially the campaign against gender-based violence in Nigeria.

In a keynote address, human rights activist and the convener of the Bring Back Our Girls, Aisha Yesufu said at the centre of the violence meted against women was economic disempowerment.

She said until women break out of the chain of being able to fend for themselves, they may continue to be under oppression just as she said women have also been fond of causing harm and violence against fellow women.