Photo: [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.

Sterling One Foundation, in collaboration 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.

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, an annual United Nations initiative held annually from November 25 to December 10 (International Human Rights Day), aims to eradicate violence against women.

The global campaign, established 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 as an organisational strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

In support of the initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General launched in 2008 the campaign UNITE by 2030 to End Violence against Women, which runs parallel to the 16 Days of Activism.

Since its inception in 1991, over 6,000 organisations 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 Mrs. Ibekwe, statistics show that one in *three* women and one in *six* boys have experienced violations. She emphasised the urgent need to eliminate gender-based violence, calling for advocacy and action from individuals, private sector players, and development organisations to address and find solutions to the pervasive issue.

She added that it is important to escalate discussions on gender-based violence into the living rooms of the citizenry.

The Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonny Baxter, in his goodwill message stressed the importance of legislative measures to protect human rights and urged collaboration between the government and the public.

In her goodwill message, Dr. Ama Onyerinma, Founder of Live Abundantly, observed that the provided statistics may not fully capture the reality due to underreporting, adding that there is a need for people to use their voices to amplify 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.

Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi affirmed Lagos 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.

Goodwill messages were also shared 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 and outlined efforts by the private sector to ensure the safety and protection of their workforce.

Mrs. Uzokwe commended the multi-sectoral partners gathered. She added that all citizens have a part to play and commended the sustained efforts of the Lagos State Government in prioritizing the elimination of gender-based violence.

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