The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said they are leveraging the power of art to combat all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.
‘Deafening Silence’ was produced by the UNDP within the framework of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative. This programme aligns strongly with Nigeria’s gender priorities, as well as the EU’s and the UN’s Gender Action Plans.
The film leverages the power of storytelling to explore themes of gender equality, women’s empowerment and SGBV in Nigeria.
Speaking at the premiere of the film in Lagos Wednesday, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, represented by the head of the Governance, Gender Human Rights and Migration Section at the EU delegation, Ruben Alba Aguilera, said SGBV it is not only a Nigerian problem but a global issue requiring a collective effort and approach to solve.
With one in every three women globally haven experienced physical, sexual or any other form of violence in their lifetime, the EU ambassador stated the need for continued advocacy about the menace, to inspire action to combat it and promote gender equality and women and girls’ empowerment.
“Through initiatives like Deafening Silence, we aim to spark meaningful conversations and inspire tangible action towards gender equality,” affirmed Isopi, adding that the movie would contribute to broader interventions around gender-based violence, connecting with rights holders and bearers, and opening up otherwise complex and difficult perspectives.
“We hope that the movie will contribute to moving the needle on these susceptible topics, and trust that it will galvanise action and be a natural or intuitive way of further engaging with this discourse. Art has the unique ability to address sensitive issues like sexual and gender-based violence with depth and nuance,” she said.
Reaffirming the EU’s commitment to combating sexual and gender-based violence, Isopi said the power of storytelling showcased in Deafening Silence would amplify the voices of survivors and advocate, and drive momentum for change.
