By Damilola Fatunmise
In a show of support for ending violence against women, high-ranking United Nations and European Union officials recently hosted a private screening of “Deafening Silence,” a film tackling gender-based violence.
The movie, currently playing in cinemas nationwide, is a product of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, a programme promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria. The initiative aligns with the priorities of the Nigerian government, the EU, and the UN on gender issues.
“Deafening Silence” aims to spark meaningful discussions about these critical problems and ultimately driving social change.
UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, highlighted the film’s message: “Shockingly, three out of 10 women have faced gender-based violence. This violence affects people close to us – sisters, mothers, cousins. It’s our collective responsibility to take action.”
According to the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, the event’s core message is directly linked to development. “The role of women in development is crucial,” he emphasized.
The EU-funded Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations. Its goal is to eliminate all forms of violence and harmful practices against women and girls by the year 2030.