By Patrick Obia
With November 25th, every year set aside as annual global campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), known as 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Project Alert, a non-profit making organization in the front line of fighting gender-based violence in the country has reaffirmed commitment in her fight against violence against women and girls.
The theme for this year’s campaign: “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” resonates with Project Alert’s the Beijing Platform for Action (BPA) – the outcome of the 4th World Conference on Women which took place in Beijing China in 1995.
Project Alert that will be celebrating 25 years anniversary, called for renewed commitment, honesty and intentionality by all and sundry – governments at all levels; religious leaders, traditional rulers, businesses, law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations among others unite to in ensuring they by their actions or inactions contribute to enabling gender-based violence festered in homes, communities, workplaces, schools, places of worship.
In a press release signed and made available by Project Alert Executive Director, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma reaffirm deep commitment to advocating for and promoting non-violence and addressing socio-cultural and traditional norms that perpetuate gender-based violence (GBV) and discrimination.
Effah-Chukwuma while highlighting that a lot have been achieved in the almost three decades of the BPA in addressing violence against women in Nigeria and globally, a lot has to be done.
She stated that in the last two decades, since the emergence of social media the world has also noted new and emerging trends in GBV. These she said include trolling, stalking, doxing and other forms of violence against women and girls.
The press release reads in part: “Today November 25th, 2024 marks the commencement of the annual global campaign against gender-based violence, known as 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The theme for this year’s campaign “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” resonates with us at Project Alert. This is because Project Alert on Violence Against Women is a baby of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPA) the outcome of the 4th World Conference on Women which took place in Beijing China in 1995.
“The BPA document was an historic commitment by global
leaders to achieve gender equality and empower women. It had identified 12 Critical Areas of Concern, for urgent attention and action by governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, faith-based organizations etc. One of the critical areas of concern was violence against women.
“In January 1999, Project Alert on Violence Against Women was set up to respond to this critical area of concern. This year thus marks 25 years of Project Alert addressing the issue of violence against women in Nigeria from multidimensional perspectives such as research and documentation, advocacy and practical support services. As the world during this year’s 16 Days of Activism, reflects over the journey so far and progress made in addressing violence against women globally, in preparation for the 30th anniversary of the BPA, we at Project Alert reaffirm out deep
commitment to advocating for and promoting non-violence and addressing socio-cultural and traditional norms that perpetuate gender-based violence (GBV) and discrimination.
“In our 25 years of existence, we have contributed to knowledge and enriched the discourse on violence against women and girls through our various programs areas such as Research & Documentation; Human Rights Education; and Support Services Programs. We have published thirty-one (31) reports on various aspects of gender-based violence in Nigeria, with the very first report being a national survey on the prevalence, forms and impact of violence against women, known as Beyond Boundaries. We have planned and implemented numerous advocacy projects with men, faith-based organizations, community leaders, legislators, schools, women with disability etc, that have led to the enactment of laws, new policies, and several intervention programs such as the setting up of sexual assault referral centers, shelters etc. We set up the very first center for abused women in Nigeria in May 2001, known as Sophia’s Place. We were also one of the implementing partners of the global European Union and United Nations joint
program known as the Spotlight Initiative Program SIP.
“While we can say that a lot has been achieved in the almost three decades of the BPA in addressing violence against women in Nigeria in particular, and the world in general, there is still a lot more to be done. In the last two decades, since the emergence of social media the world has also noted new and emerging trends in gender-based violence. These include trolling, stalking, doxing and other forms of violence against women and girls.
“Technology-facilitated violence seems to have escalated in the last decade, posing serious threats to women’s safety and wellbeing both online and offline. A lot of cyber violence against women is taking place. Traditional forms of gender-based violence such as sexual abuse and domestic violence are also taking different forms and shapes and urgent attention need to be paid.
“As the 16 Days of Activism 2024 kicks off today, we are calling for RENEWED COMMITMENT, HONESTY and INTENTIONALITY by ALL, especially governments at all levels; religious leaders, traditional rulers, businesses, law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations etc, to UNITE in ensuring we don’t by our actions or inactions contribute to enabling gender-based violence festers in our homes, communities, workplaces, schools, places of worship etc. Together, we can create a safer and more equitable society.”
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