The United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual International campaign that kicks off on 25 November and runs until 10 December. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. This year 2020 global theme: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”

Tabitha Cumi Foundation team joined the “Orange the World” campaign to say no to gender based violence through creative pictures and video messages. The team ran her activities all through the 16 days through engagement with relevant stakeholders, community sensitizations with faith and traditional leaders, women and girls, social media awareness, school engagements with boys and girls. The TCF team and Board of Trustees and staff also created educative awareness raising videos on “Orange the world” campaign which was disseminated on social media to educate the public (find videos attached in video section).

The campaign started with a strategic meeting with Raising Indigenous Girls Early (RIGE) stakeholders, a TCF project working with 1500 marginalized adolescent girls aged 10-18 in 30 communities across FCT, Niger and Nassarawa States to provide multi-sectoral support against GBV, Menstrual Hygiene Management and life skills training.

The TCF team visited GSS Wuse Abuja to educate the girls on prevention and response to GBV issues. During the sensitisation, girls were admonished to use coded language when communicating with trusted persons, Counselling session was conducted for girls at risk, questionnaires were administered to girls to elicit response on their understanding of GBV and TCF GBV helpline was disseminated to the girls for reporting any form of abuse.

During the campaign and days of activism, Tabitha Cumi Foundation launched her GBV helpline to facilitate referrals to multi-sectoral services for GBV survivors which was disseminated on social media platforms, during sensitizations and awareness campaigns.

The ED TCF, Tayo Erinle joined Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN) for a TV live talk show on “International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women” as part of 16 days awareness against GBV in the world.

A team member, Nendi Ohah also joined the Radio live talk at Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network for the 16 days of activism campaign on the topic “Clearing up on the Blurred lines of Consent”.

TCF team visited several Primary Health Centres on their immunization days during the Campaign to sensitise women, mothers and caregivers on GBV prevention and response. Also, distribution of P&G Rigakafi pampers in Kuje and Jiwa Primary Health Centres were carried out. The TCF GBV helpline was disseminated to the mothers.

A part of TCF 16 days activism against GBV campaign was the team’s visit to the newly commissioned Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, Abuja, a one stop GBV prevention centre with the founder, Bola Tinubu. The child friendly centre is well staffed, equipped and funded to respond, prevent and collect data on incidences of GBV and is well equipped for case management and forensic audit for survivors.

TCF 16 days of activism against GBV campaign progressed as the team went to Federal Government Boys College Apo, as part of our strategy to interact with boys and sensitize them on GBV prevention, response to GBV, positive masculinity, self-control, effects of drug abuse and becoming change agents in society.

Girl empowerment has been a major tool in building independent women and adolescent girls who can stand up for their rights and cannot be easily trampled on by any one or be silenced in the society because of their gender. TCF achieved this impact with the Creative Hub Women Cooperative by empowering them with skills and opportunities in the modern market. The Creative hub girls were producing facemasks in mass for sale during the 16 days of activism campaign.

Stakeholders’ engagement was not left out in the fight against GBV campaign as the team paid a courtesy call to the Director, Social Development Secretariat, Dr (Mrs) Agnes Utah-Hart to strengthen our partnership in prevention and response to GBV in the FCT.

TCF ended the 16 days of activism against GBV campaign at our constituency; the community. The event took place at Kogo community Abuja and several meetings with different groups (traditional leaders, Mothers/caregivers and Girls) took place that day at the community in order to properly educate each groups on their roles and responsibilities in fighting GBV.

The team sensitized traditional leaders on their role in supporting and responding to GBV cases in their communities. Thereafter, they took a “Do-No-Harm” pledge to always support the campaign against GBV.

Women and adolescent girls were also sensitized and interacted with on prevention and response to GBV.