NHRC, RoLAC Mark “16 Days of Activism” with Nationwide Events
By Raphael Ekpang
Nigeria is gearing up to join the global community in observing the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, from November 25 to December 10, 2024.
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu SAN, emphasized the significance of this year’s theme, “Equality – Reducing Inequality and Advancing Human Rights,” highlighting its importance as a reminder and a call to action to reaffirm our collective commitment to protecting the rights of every individual in Nigeria and beyond.
At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Executive Secretary said the programme calls for the attention, collaboration and investment of key stakeholders like the media, faith-based organisations, human rights actors, students unions, women associations and security agencies to restrategise in stemming the tide against violence on women.
The event was organised in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), funded by the European Union and implemented by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
This year’s campaign is particularly crucial in Nigeria, where gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue. Last week, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it received 427,606 complaints of human rights violations in October 2024 from its 38 offices across the country.
According to UN Women, nearly one in three women experience violence in their lifetime, and girls are at particular risk of violence, with one in four adolescent girls being abused by their partners.
The “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” is an annual international campaign that launches on November 25, aiming to amplify advocacy against all forms of violence, discrimination, and human rights abuses, particularly sexual violence against women and girls. It concludes on December 10, observed as International Human Rights Day.
Since 2019, RoLAC has been at the forefront of targeted advocacy, public sensitization, and learning events during the 16 Days of Activism. Collaborating with various government agencies, civil society organizations, media partners, and influencers from the entertainment industry, these initiatives have made a tangible impact, evidenced by the establishment of SGBV courts in the FCT in 2021 and the replication of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across the country.
Ojukwu said the International Human Rights Day serves as an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made as a nation in advancing the fundamental rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.
“It also challenges us to confront the gaps and obstacles that continue to hinder the full realization of these rights.
“For this year’s commemoration and as usual, the National Human Rights Commission and its partners have lined up series of impactful programs and initiatives designed to amplify the voices of the marginalized, promote accountability, and foster a deeper understanding of human rights among all stakeholders.
“These activities are designed to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and inspire action toward addressing inequalities and advancing human rights across Nigeria,’ he said.
The nationwide events include: road show across the 36 State offices of NHRC (Nov 25); visits to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Assembly across the States, for advocacy and lobby for legislation on violence against women and girls (Nov 26); visits to the Office of the Chief Judges of the States and the Judges of the FHC (Nov 27) and meeting with women/youths’ groups in the State, to further deliberate and identify violations (Nov 28).
Others are: visits to religious and traditional leaders across the states focusing on the rights of women and girls (Nov 29); meeting with NBA/FIDA, CSOs across the States to explore the legal provisions on the rights of women and girls (Dec 2); visits to schools to create awareness on sexual and gender based violence (Dec. 3); another visit to health facilities to sensitize health workers on SGBV and the response (Dec 4); media parley (Dec 5); Compilation of reports from the findings at the various meetings and visits conducted (Dec 6); visits of the Commission’s State coordinators and their team to the Governor of their respective States for the presentation of communique from the various engagements (December 9).
At the NHRC headquarters in Abuja, the events include: Human Rights Debates and Quiz Competitions for Schools (27th to 29th November); Human Rights Exhibition – “Heroes of Human Rights” (27th to 29th November); Annual Civil Society/Human Rights Defenders’ Forum and Human Rights Expo (2nd December); National Legislative Forum on Human Rights (3rd December); High-Level Forum on Human Rights and Busines (4th December); National Town Hall on the Future of Litigating Human Rights in Nigeria (5th December); Civil-Military Forum and Presentation of the SIIP Report (6th December); Human Rights Dinner and Awards (10th December).
“The activities for the 16-days of Activism across the States will include the followings:
Date: Friday, 22nd November 2024
This briefing will officially flag off the celebration and highlight the connection between the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign and this year’s International Human Rights Day theme. It will set the tone for the events by addressing the critical need to reduce inequality and amplify human rights across all sectors.
Throughout the 16 days of Activism, we will be engaged in various activities aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence, promoting gender equality, and advocating for policy and legislative reforms to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
In the past years, the Commission’s State offices joined the headquarters to play significant roles in promoting the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence in Nigeria. This year, we plan to expand our sensitization campaigns, increase engagement with stakeholders, build capacity for responders and also leverage social media platforms to amplify messages, raise awareness and also engage with the public.
We will also be collaborating with civil society organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to amplify our efforts and ensure a coordinated response to gender-based violence. The activities for the 16-days of Activism across the States will include the followings:
On Monday the 25 of November: there will be road show across the 36 State offices in collaboration with CSOs, NBA/FIDA, and other stakeholders from a designated point (NHRC office) to First Lady of the State, who then receives the group and launch the start of the 16 days of activism.
On Tuesday 26 November: there will be visits to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Assembly across the States, for advocacy and lobby for legislation on violence against women and girls.
On Wednesday 27 November: there will also be visits to the Office of the Chief Judges of the States and the Judges of the FHC if available in the State, to discuss cases related to SGBV.
On Thursday 28 November: there shall be a meeting with women/youths’ groups in the State, to further deliberate and identify violations. Here the issues identified at the meeting with the Office of the First Lady will be discussed and notes compared.
On Friday 29 November: there will be another visit to religious and traditional leaders across the states focusing on the rights of women and girls (children). Discussion on the practices that exacerbates the violation of these rights and the role of the leaders in curbing these practices, will be the major focus.
On Monday 2 December: there will be a meeting with NBA/FIDA, CSOs across the States to explore the legal provisions on the rights of women and girls, holding of perpetrators accountable, and plan of action on advocacy for passage of laws on protection of women and girls from harmful practices peculiar to the State /Area of responsibility.
On Tuesday 3 December: there will be another visit to schools to create awareness on SGBV. Possible drama/theme songs performed by the students to enlighten their peers and teachers on dangers of sexual and gender-based violence, on the health and wellbeing of the girl child in particular, but also how it affects the boys and the community at large.
On Wednesday 4 December: there will be another visit to health facilities to sensitize health workers on SGBV and the response; availability of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and other cocktail of drugs for survivors of sexual violence.
On Thursday 5 December: there will be media pally. The State/HQ of the Commission will choose a platform either electronic/social media, to engage with the public on the rights of women and girls. Discussion will be on a peculiar violation against women and girls that take place in the State, the available legislation if any, and how to access legal redress.
On Friday 6 December: Compilation of reports from the findings at the various meetings and visits conducted. Communique will be ready for dissemination to the State authorities.
On Monday 9 December: all the Commission’s State coordinators and their team will visit to the Governor of their various States for the presentation of communique from the various engagements; advocacy for policy on violence against women and girls as well as briefing on activities to mark the IHRD and close of 16 days of Activism shall be the focus of the visit.
As we embark on this 16 Day journey, I urge everyone to join us in this effort to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Together, we can create a society where women and girls are valued, respected, and protected from violence and discrimination.
Event 2: Human Rights Debates and Quiz Competitions for Schools
Date: 27th to 29th November 2024
This interactive event aims to engage young minds in secondary schools across eight states to deepen their understanding of human rights principles. It fosters critical thinking, advocacy, and leadership among future generation who are the leaders of tomorrow.
Event 3: Three-Day Human Rights Exhibition – “Heroes of Human Rights”
Date: 27th to 29th November 2024
The exhibition will showcase inspiring stories and profiles of individuals that have made significant contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria. It will also provide a platform for creative expressions through art and photography.
Event 4: Annual Civil Society/Human Rights Defenders’ Forum and Human Rights Expo
Date: 2nd December 2024
A platform for civil society organizations and human rights defenders to share strategies, successes, and challenges in addressing inequality. The forum will also include an expo where innovative tools and resources for advancing human rights will be discussed.
Event 5: National Legislative Forum on Human Rights
Date: 3rd December 2024
This forum will engage lawmakers on their critical role in enacting policies and laws that promote equality and protect human rights. Discussions will focus on legislative gaps and opportunities to strengthen Nigeria’s human rights framework.
Event 6: High-Level Forum on Human Rights and Business
Date: 4th December 2024
The forum will explore the nexus between human rights and business practices, emphasizing the need for corporate responsibility in addressing inequality and upholding human rights in business operations.
Event 7: National Town Hall on the Future of Litigating Human Rights in Nigeria
Date: 5th December 2024
The town hall will bring together legal practitioners, judges, and human rights advocates to deliberate on innovative approaches to litigating human rights cases and ensuring access to justice for all Nigerians.
Event 8: Civil-Military Forum and Presentation of the SIIP Report
Date: 6th December 2024
This forum will provide an avenue for dialogue between the military and human rights stakeholders on addressing issues of mainstreaming human rights in military operations. The presentation of the report of the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violation in Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East (SIIP-NE) will be officially made to the Military and will be the high point of the event.
Event 9: Human Rights Day Walk and Statements
Date: 10th December 2024
This symbolic walk will unite diverse stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organisation, students, and the general public, in a demonstration of solidarity for the promotion of equality and human rights.
Event 10: Human Rights Dinner and Awards
Date: 10th December 2024
The grand finale of the celebration will feature a prestigious dinner and awards ceremony to honour individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to advancing human rights in Nigeria.
This year’s activities collectively aim to strengthen partnerships, enhance awareness, and foster collaborative action in the fight against inequality. By bringing diverse stakeholders together, the Commission seeks to reaffirm its commitment to promoting equality, justice, and the protection of human rights for all Nigerians.
we count on the media, as a critical partner in our work, to help amplify these efforts and to ensure that the message of human rights reaches every corner of our society.
Once again, I thank you for your presence here today, and I look forward to engaging with you, together, let us continue to champion the cause of human for all as we create a more inclusive and equitable society.
May I use this medium to thank our partners Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) for making this event possible. We will continue to rely on your continuous support for the advancement of human rights in Nigeria.
