The 16 Days of Activism Campaign runs from the 25th of November until the 10th of December, International Human Rights Day.
So, how can you join the conversation and make a difference? Here are 7 easy ways to get involved.
Learn the signs of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Knowing the signs of an abusive partner can help you to recognize when a relationship has become toxic and when to call it quit. Abuse is not always obvious to spot and comes in various forms from physical assault, sexual violence (*and for the naysayers, yes sexual assault can occur in a relationship and marriage), Emotional and Psychological aggression, to even stalking, and can pose very serious consequences. Recognizing the signs of an abusive relationship is the first step and may save your life and those around you.
Also check out: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/faqs/signs-of-abuse
Know What to Do in the case of GBV.
In the event you or someone around you is a survivour of gender-based violence GBV, it is important to know the necessary steps to take and understand what the law says.
Know the laws addressing Violence Against Women: https://www.baobabforwomen.org/helping-hands
Donate to an organization advocating against GBV.
You can also show support by donating to NGOs, such as Baobab for Women’s Human Rights who advocate to eliminate GBV and the stigma against survivors, work on empowering Women and Girls in at-risk communities and educating about GBV. NGOs function entirely on grants and donation, so your support helps to push the cause further.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to be involved in the cause. By volunteering, you will also learn a lot about GBV and what is being done, and you can play an active part in the fight against GBV. Baobab holds a positive outlook on volunteer work and we appreciate all the help we can get.
Change your Language.
Many too often when a survivor comes out to report a case of GBV, their claim is dismissed. Survivors are slut shamed, accused of dressing indecently, being drunk, asked why they did not leave, and in some cases asked if they enjoyed it. Survivors also risk isolation from friends, family and community, and face risk of character defamation. Read more on [Reasons to believe survivors]. The first step to eliminating GBV is believing survivors, and this starts with ourselves. Changing our language means changing the way you react and moving from an accusatory tone to that of empathy.
Words hold power, so use your power wisely!
Have a movie night with friends and family.
A fun way to start the conversation around GBV with friends and family is by throwing a movie night. We have listed a few great movies focused on the issue of GBV to get your movie night started. So sit back and enjoy!
Nigerian films:
Dry [streaming on Amazon Prime Video]
Written and Directed by Stephanie Linus, Dry narrates the story of a thirteen (13) year old girl, Halima, whose poor uneducated parents marry her off to Sani, a 60-year-old man, who constantly rapes her. Halima gets pregnant and suffers Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) after child delivery; she is consequently abandoned by her husband and discriminated against in the society. Zara, a medical doctor, who also suffered a horrific childhood, meets Halima and tries to assist Halima.
Link to trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tjdHk4crI&ab_channel=MovieclipsIndie
Unforgivable (Ainidariji) [streaming on YouTube]
BlackRose [streaming on Netflix]
Big Daddy [streaming on YouTube]
Foreign films:
A girl from Mogadishu [streaming on Amazon Prime Video]
Directed by Mary McGuckian, the film is a somewhat fictionalized story based on the testimony of Ifrah Ahmed, who having escaped war-torn Somalia, emerged as one of the world’s foremost international activists against gender-based violence. On recounting her traumatic childhood experiences of female genital mutilation when applying for refugee status, Ifrah is re-traumatised and vows to devote her life to the eradication of the practice.
Link to trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGj8zq3gSTY&ab_channel=EclipsePicturesIE
Another war [streaming on Vimeo]
City of Joy [streaming on Netflix]