On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, MTN Nigeria held an exclusive screening of the movie Deafening Silence at its rooftop event center in Falomo, Lagos, as part of its dedication to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The purpose of the event accessed by BrandSpur telecom and IT news desk, in which MTN employees participated in both in-person and virtual formats, was to raise awareness and encourage discussions about gender-based violence (GBV) among its employees while highlighting the company’s commitment to tackling social issues that impact women in various Nigerian communities.
Deafening Silence, a gripping 90-minute drama, is a joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in association with the Foundation for Resilient Empowerment and Development (FRED) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Through the stories of several women and girls, the film examines the brutal realities of gender-based violence. The film, which was directed by Biodun Stephen and produced by Emem Isong, stars several well-known performers, including Toni Tones, Kate Henshaw, Femi Jacobs, Bimbo Akintola, and Chidi Mokeme. The film has won praise for its capacity to highlight the institutional, emotional, and physical assaults that women and girls have endured since its June 2024 premiere.
The screening is in line with the larger goals of the global movement to eradicate violence against women and girls, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The campaign was started in 1991 during the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute and runs every year from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, until December 10, Human Rights Day.
The campaign emphasizes the urgent need for group action to stop the widespread violations of women’s rights and sends a clear message that there is #NoExcuse for violence against women.
Temilade Olabanji, Senior Manager, Sustainability and Shared Value, MTN Nigeria, emphasized the value of teamwork in her remarks during the event.
According to her: “Gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue; it’s a human rights issue that requires all of us to act. As we watch this movie, let it spark conversations, educate us, and inspire us to speak up for a world free of discrimination, fear, and violence against women.”
According to the statistics presented at the event, 38% of all female killings are committed by intimate partners, and one in three women globally will experience physical or sexual intimate partner violence at some point in their lives.
These figures provide a bleak picture of the global GBV issue. 27% of Nigerian women between the ages of 15 and 49 report experiencing physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their partner, underscoring the urgent need for intervention and education.
MTN Nigeria, however, reaffirmed its dedication to creating a socially conscious atmosphere that promotes justice, safety, and equity by screening Deafening Silence.
