Sterling One Foundation Partners ‘Live Abundantly’ and the British High Commission in Effort against Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria
L-R: Dr. Ama Onyerinma, Founder, Live Abundantly; Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO Sterling One Foundation; Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria.
By Kanempress
Lagos, Nigeria
28th November 2023
In a pivotal alliance, Sterling One Foundation collaborate with Live Abundantly and the British High Commission in Nigeria, has inaugurated the 2023 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign, an annual United Nations initiative from November 25 to December 10 (International Human Rights Day), has a resolute mission to eradicate violence against women and children.
Established in 1991 by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute at Rutgers University, this global campaign has evolved to encompass violence against both girls and boys, serving as an organisational strategy worldwide to advocate for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
In tandem with this initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General introduced the UNITE by 2030 campaign in 2008, running parallel to the 16 Days of Activism, with the aim to end violence against women.
Since its inception in 1991, over 6,000 organisations from approximately 187 countries have actively participated in this impactful campaign.
The event, hosted at the EbonyLife Place in Lagos, featured a compelling film screening titled “Chatroom,” produced by Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, the astute Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation.
Mrs. Ibekwe, unveiling staggering statistics indicating that one in three women and one in six boys have experienced violations, passionately underscored the urgent need to eliminate gender-based violence. She called for robust advocacy and decisive action from individuals, private sector players and development organisations to address and find solutions to this pervasive issue, emphasising the importance of extending discussions on gender-based violence into the living rooms of citizens.
In a heartfelt goodwill message, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonny Baxter, who represented the High Commissioner at the event emphasised the critical role of legislative measures in protecting human rights, urging collaborative efforts between the government and the public.
Dr. Ama Onyerinma, founder of ‘Live Abundantly,’ contributed a thoughtful observation, noting that the provided statistics may not fully capture the reality due to underreporting. She emphasised the need for people to use their voices to amplify awareness, emphasising that without reporting gender-based violence, there can be no social justice for victims, no heightened awareness, no protection and no advocacy.
Lagos State’s Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, affirmed the state’s intolerance of gender-based violence, citing the establishment of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) as part of its commitment to tackling the issue under its THEMES Agenda.
Additional goodwill messages were conveyed by Dr. Adewale Oyerinde of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association and Pearl Uzokwe of the Malala Fund in Nigeria.
Dr. Oyerinde highlighted the multi-dimensional nature of the issue, outlining efforts by the private sector to ensure the safety and protection of their workforce.
Mrs. Uzokwe commended the multi-sectoral partners gathered, emphasising the vital role of every citizen in this collective endeavour. She lauded the sustained efforts of the Lagos State Government in prioritising the elimination of gender-based violence.
