March 2020
The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme is partnering with the European Union to support the HerStoryOurStoryNG campaign against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
As part of the broader campaign, RoLAC supported the commemoration of the International Women’s Day 2020 (IWD) with a 30-day focus on the role citizens can play in advancing equal rights for women, and to celebrate the achievements of women who promote gender equality at community and grassroot levels.
The celebration of IWD 2020 was launched with a press briefing by the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen. The briefing provided a platform for Nigerian stakeholders and international organisations to evaluate progress and challenges affecting the realisation of gender equality and women’s rights, while reiterating their commitments to intensify efforts towards addressing gender inequalities.
During the 30-day campaign, other activities included the unveiling of the 'Wall of Women' at four sites across the FCT, public engagement on social media promoting the theme #EachforEqual, and a theatre presentation of the Aba Women’s Riots of 1929, entitled August Meeting, which was attended by over 400 stakeholders, partners and friends of the European Union.
The 'Wall of Women' was successful in celebrating gender champions in the community. Members of the public were invited to pin the names and achievements of the champions on the wall throughout the month of March. Over 200 pins were posted in the first two weeks of the month. RoLAC supported this further on social media by publicising the profiles of some of the champions and linking them to the network of HerStoryOurStoryNG gender partners.
The IWD activities align with RoLAC's objectives of promoting the rights of women.
‘Access to basic human rights for women and young girls continues to be threatened. Women work more hours and earn less. There is less than five percent of women representation in parliament. There is persistent child marriage and violence against women and girls. At this rate of change, the gender gap in economic participation and opportunity will not close for another 257 years… and the estimated time keeps increasing.’
Comfort Lamptey, UN Women, Country Representative
