EU, UNDP premiere film advocating for gender equality in Lagos

‘Defeaning Silence‘, a movie on sexual-gender-based violence, premiered in Victoria Island, Lagos on Wednesday.

The movie was produced as an intervention to gender-based violence by the European Union (EU) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

It was directed by Biodun Stephen, the Nigerian filmmaker.

At the premiere, Ruben Aguilera, the acting head of the cooperation team leader of the EU, said the movie is aimed to provoke change by “opening a debate about the effects of gender-based violence”.

“What we want to achieve is basically to raise awareness and to make sure that we reach out to every corner of Nigeria to break the silence and to open a debate about the effects of gender-based violence and trying to bring change,” he said.

“Change is possible. By leveraging the creative industries and the power of Nollywood, we want to reach every family, every household, and every corner of Nigeria. We want people to speak up and question the status quo.”

He also revealed that ‘Deafening Silence’ will be screened for free in selected cinemas in Nigeria.

‘Deafening Silence’ is a gripping tale that explores various aspects of sexual-gender-based violence including sexual harassment, child abuse, and the importance of raising boys to respect women.

The movie featured Kate Henshaw, Bimbo Akintola, Chidi Mokeme, Daniel Etim-Effiong, and Femi Jacobs.