UNICEF HOLDS TWO-DAY LIVE CHAT EVENT IN LAGOS HIGHLIGHTING U-REPORT UNDER SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS.

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 21^st to 22^nd 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.