Sterling One Foundation Partners Live Abundantly British High Commission on Gender Based Violence

Sterling One Foundation, in partnership with Live Abundantly and the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, has officially launched the 2023 edition of the 16 Days of Activism 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.

The 16 Days Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children, an annual program of the United Nations held every year from November 25 to December 10 (International Human Rights Day), aims to eradicate violence against women.

The global campaign, created in 1991 by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute at Rutgers University, has expanded to include violence against both girls and boys.

It is used by individuals and organizations around the world as an organizing strategy to advocate for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

To support this initiative, the UN Secretary-General launched the UNITE campaign in 2008 to end violence against women by 2030, running in conjunction with 16 Days of Activism.

Since its inception in 1991, more than 6,000 organizations from approximately 187 countries have participated in the campaign.

The event, held at the EbonyLife Place in Lagos, featured a film screening titled “Chatroom,” produced by Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation.

According to Ms Ibekwe, statistics show that one in three women and one in six boys have suffered violations.

She highlighted the urgent need to eliminate gender-based violence, calling for advocacy and action by individuals, private sector players and development organizations to address and find solutions to the widespread problem.

She added that it is important to bring discussions about gender-based violence into the everyday rooms of citizens.

In his goodwill message, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Johnny Baxter, stressed the importance of legislative measures to protect human rights and urged cooperation between the government and the public.

In his message of goodwill, Dr. Ama Onyerinma, the founder of Live Abundantly, observed that the figures given may not fully capture the reality due to under-reporting, adding that there is a need for people to use their voices to raise awareness about it.

She noted that when gender-based violence is not reported there can be no social justice for victims, no better awareness, no protection and no advocacy.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has reaffirmed Lagos State’s zero tolerance for gender-based violence, citing the establishment of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) as part of its commitment to address the issue under of the TOPICS agenda.

Dr. Adewale Oyerinde of the Employers Consulting Association of Nigeria and Pearl Uzokwe of Malala Fund Nigeria also shared messages of goodwill.

Dr. Oyerinde highlighted the multidimensional nature of the problem and highlighted the efforts being made by the private sector to ensure the safety and protection of its workforce.

Ms. Uzokwe commended the multi-sectoral partners gathered.

He added that all citizens have a role to play and commended the continued efforts of the Lagos State Government in prioritizing the elimination of gender-based violence.

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