Aderonke Bello, Executive Director of Fame Foundation flanked by officials of the NGO at a press conference organized to unveil activities for 16 Days of Activism Calender in Abuja on Friday.
By Chidiebere Ugwu
Fame Foundation on Friday unveiled events it has lined up to mark the 2023 16 Days Of Activism Calender with a specific call on state governments to domesticate and implement the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015.
The Non-governmental Organizations (NGO), said that the global theme of this year’s 16 Days Of Activism Calender, is “Unite! Activism to end violence against women and girls” Fame Foundation has further domesticated the theme to “Uniting Boys and Men to Invest Against Gender-Based Violence GBV”.
Speaking, Aderonke Bello, the Executive Director of Fame Foundation, said this year’s theme was carefully chosen to reflect the current realities in Nigeria where most GBV related crimes have been linked to male folks.
According to Bello, 87% of male victims of (completed or attempted) rape reported only male perpetrators, while 82% of male victims of sexual coercion reported only female perpetrators, adding that 53% of male victims of unwanted sexual contact reported only female perpetrators.
She said the theme is designed to unite men, women, boys and girls to stand against GBV, stressing that silence perpetuates the cycle.
“We must unite men, women, boys and girls to stand against GBV. Silence perpetuates the cycle, It’s time to lend our voices, listen without judgment and support survivors in their journey towards healing.
“Some victims of rape or other sexual violence incidents are male. It is estimated that approximately one in six men experienced sexual abuse during childhood.
“Historically, rape was thought to be, and defined as, a crime committed solely against females. This belief Is still held In some parts of the world, but rape of males Is now commonly criminalized and has been subject to more discussion than In the past.
“87% of male victims of (completed or attempted) rape reported only male perpetrators. 82% of male victims of sexual coercion reported only female perpetrators. 53% of male victims of unwanted sexual contact reported only female perpetrators.
“The need for collective effort in the fight against GBV. I urge Individuals and organizations to unite and advocate for a worId where everyone can live free form fear, discrimination and violence”.
On this programmes of the Activism, she said that FAME Foundation had designed events to run through the duration aimed at creating safe space, access to dedicated practitioners, non-governmental organizations, psychologists and mental health experts committed to helping Individuals overcome the trauma of GBV.
These would see the organization engage in special campaign for the international day for the Elimination of violence against women flyer, Graphics on GBV and Campaign flyer Participate In other people’s event, Graphics-Topic; ways to campaign , and Posting of event flyer in the schools, uniting boys to invest against GBV -School sensitization, and learning what to teach boys, including signs of gender-based violence.
