Within the framework of
Spotlight Initiative End Violence Against Women and Girls, UNICEF held a 2-day
live chat event at the Golfview Hotel and Suites, Ikeja, Lagos from October 21st
to 22nd 2019.
The very educative
event focused on the Youth under the U-Report and Innovation was anchored by
Innovation Specialist, Mr. Kolawole Ladejobi and Salma Muhammed from UNICEF. In
attendance were representatives of UNICEF and CSOs, undergraduate students from
University of Lagos (Unilag), corps members, postgraduate students from Unilag
and NYSC officials. The Lagos State NYSC coordinator, Mr. Shuaibu Ibrahim and
the representative of the Minister for Youth and Sports Development also graced
the event.
Mr. Adedoyin, the representative of the Minister for
Youth and Sports Development emphasized the importance of seminars and training for the youths, this he explained was key to the capacity building of
the youths “and when you build a youth you are building a nation” he said. Mrs.
Dick Ihunabare a representative from UNICEF explained the importance of being a
U-reporter and its impact on crime-solving.
Mr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, Lagos state NYSC coordinator
thanked UNICEF and U-report for their efforts in building the capacity of the Nigerian
youths.
The Spotlight
Initiative is a global partnership between the European Union (EU) and the
United Nations (UN) to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
The six mutually reinforcing pillars of the Spotlight Initiative are: Laws and
Policies, Institutions, Prevention, Services, Data, and Women’s movements.
During the interactive Panel session, topics like the root causes and solutions to gender-based
violence was discussed.
The event emphasized the use of technology to end violence against women and girls. Bridge Point, SAED Connect and Google Digital Skills, all made remarkable presentations on the use of IT for digital empowerment and the development of youths.
Gifts were presented to
the winners of the U-Report quiz at the end of the day 2 event.
The U-Report is an online platform where young people can send and receive useful information
about the various happenings in their communities in order to bring about
positive social change. It is presently run in 60 countries. Nigeria, with over
3 million youths, has the largest number of U-Report subscribers.
The event which will be
hosted in all the 6 States selected for the Spotlight Initiative project was
truly a great and inspiring experience. It was a call to action of all youths
to take positive steps to end violence among women and girls in Nigeria.
Save Our Needy was ably
represented at the workshop by Marvella Odili, Founder/CEO.
