HACEY, US Consulate promote safe spaces for girls, screens ‘Girls Table Talk Show’
The need to reduce to the barest minimum the effects of Gender Based Violence (GBV) such as prostitution, transfer aggression and drug abuse amongst the girl child and give them a safe space where they can discuss issues as it affects them have once again been encouraged by HACEY Health Initiative and the US Consulate in Lagos.
These and many more were some of the issues raised at a recent Screening of the Sexual Violence Episode of the Girls Table Talk Show, as part of the celebration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
In attendance were stakeholders as well as representatives of civil society, social entrepreneurs, development workers as well as teenage girls and student representatives.
While welcoming everyone for the screening, the Deputy Public Affairs Secretary of the Consulate, Jennifer Foltz noted that the consulate is pleased to be a part of the programmes as it fits into its goal of putting an end to the issue of gender-based violence.
“It is a very important 16 days for us and it forms a part of our engagement with some of our alumni. It is the priority of the US government to support women and respond to gender-based issues. It is not just a women issue, it is a human rights issue,” Foltz added.
Also present at the screening was the President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, who doubles as the Chairman, Advisory Board of HACEY Health Initiative.
Dr. Okei-Odumakin while delivering her speech condemned Sexual Violence and Rape and urged Nigerian women to speak up as silence hides violence and is no longer golden.
The foremost Human rights activist also added that in Nigeria, sexual violence is on the rise, but “if we fold our arms and continue to agonise, we cannot have change”.
“It breaks one’s heart to see that even those who suffer from sexual violence don’t speak up. When we are able to have young girls speak up, then we will be able to minimise the occurrence. We use these 16 days of activism to totally condemn child marriage. It is another form of rape,” Dr. Joe said.
Rhoda Robinson, the Executive Director of HACEY Health Initiative, while giving an indepth analysis of the Girls Table Talk Show, disclosed that the entire idea from start to execution was solely handled by teenage girls.
She went further to explain that the ‘Girls Table Talk Show’ is a web series designed to give teenage girls a platform to talk about what they want to talk about, however they want.
According to Robinson, the focus of the seven-episode series is to encourage girls to be a part of the discussion about issues that affect them. She said that it is sad that we live in a society that finds pleasure in throwing the blame of sexual violence at the feet of the survivor.
“It is more than a human rights issue, it affects every part of our society. It is something that we need to stand together to stand against. That is why HACEY Health Initiative, as an organisation is working tirelessly to ensure the eradication of gender-based violence in our society,” Rhoda Robinson said.
