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Play on sexual, domestic violence for presentation Nov 27

By Joseph Onyekwere and Godwin Dunia
17 November 2015   |   2:53 am
DETERMINED to ensure total implementation of the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act and reduce the incidence of sexual and domestic violence, Mainevent is presenting a stage play, ‘a past came calling’ on November 27 and 28, 2015 at the Agip hall, Muson center by 3pm and 6pm daily. The event, organised in conjunction with the…

rape_pregnancy_rectrape1DETERMINED to ensure total implementation of the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act and reduce the incidence of sexual and domestic violence, Mainevent is presenting a stage play, ‘a past came calling’ on November 27 and 28, 2015 at the Agip hall, Muson center by 3pm and 6pm daily.

The event, organised in conjunction with the Simi Johnson Organisation is in commemoration of this year’s International Day for the elimination of violence against women.

Written by Uche Macauley and produced by Gbemi Shasore, the play stars award-winning actresses, Joke Silva and Kemi Lala Akindoju while Solomon Macauley directs the play.

According to the producer, Shasore, in a press conference on Friday, violence against women and girls respects no boundaries. “It affects. Women and girls even before birth, and is constant throughout their lives, continuing into old age. It is committed by family members and by strangers, as well as in wider community – at work, school and on the streets.

“In Nigeria, violence against women is on the rise and affecting more families. Domestic violence statistics indicate an increase from 21 percent in 2011 to 30 percent in 2013. The economic impact of domestic violence is significant and there is evidence that stability in family life can result in an increase of as much as 10 percent of national productivity”, she said, adding that no sustainable development agenda can be achieved without ending the global violation of human rights.

Shasore who is the chairperson of widow’s trust fund, said she is passionate about gender and rights issues and enjoys advocacy through theater. She promises to thrill the audience at the show.

Among dignitaries at the press conference who made thought-provoking remarks are the star actresses and play director; divisional police officer in Festac, CSP Monday Agbonika, representatives of some government and non-governmental organisations engaged in gender advocacy and right issues such as Project Alert, Mirabel Centre, Lagos state office of Public Defender as well as the Women’s Right and Health Project.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has stressed the need to continue to sensitise and create awareness on the issues relating to violence against women in the society. This according to her will help reduced the menace in the society.
She made this statement during the Lagos State launch of the Landmark Research Report titled: ‘Being a Man in Nigeria: Realities and Perceptions’, written by a non-governmental organization, Voices4change and held at the Sheraton Hotel Ikeja.

Adebule stated that the State government appreciates efforts that promote gender equality and winning the war against all forms of abuse of women in the society. She also described the book as a research work and product of several conversation on salient issues of gender equality in Nigeria.

Also speaking on the government readiness to promote gender equality in the state, the Commissioner for Women, Mrs. Lola Akande, stated that Lagos state government is ready to partner with individuals and organizations to promote gender equalities and other related issues. She also described the book as an effort to shift attitude against gender violence.

The event which was attended by religious leaders and other stakeholders, also had a roundtable discussion on some reasons why violence against women are prevalence, which include: sense of entitlement on the part of men and the prevailing culture of silence.

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