WARIF tackle gender-based violence in institutions through the arts

The Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF), a leading non-governmental organisation in the Nigeria fighting against has gender-based violence has expanded its advocacy through the arts in tertiary institutions.

According the organisation, the preventive program in tertiary Institutions will use the arts as a tool for change theatre and role-playing as the medium.

Short skits presented by trained actors will be introduced highlighting the prevalence of sexual violence and the issues that surround Gender-based Violence. The extent of the problem and the impact of the initiative will be obtained from information measured from pre and post surveys.

Driven by this principle, the foundation unveils a new initiative the WARIF advocacy through arts (WTA) which seeks to create awareness; change behavioural patterns; discourage gender-based violence (GBV) in tertiary institutions.

Bolanle Austen-Peters; director and producer; Founder TERRA KULTURE and BAP PRODUCTIONS commenting on this new initiative and her organisation’s recent partnership with WARIF stated, “Gender-based violence and violence, in general, is unacceptable and therefore condemnable. Arts and theatre are used to create awareness and address issues in a creative way. Art is our weapon. Art is our voice. We celebrate our partnership with WARIF to create a brighter future and a better society.”

Kemi DaSilva –Ibru, the founder of WARIF also commenting on the new initiative noted, “We recognise the urgent need to engage the young women and men in our tertiary institutions; where a significant number are affected by this problem and create an awareness and a change in the mind-set already laid down by our existing socio-cultural norms and the gender disparity that exists between the sexes. What better way of doing this than through the arts, which captures the mind and speaks to the heart of all those present and serves as a perfect vehicle to effect social change.” Dasilva Ibru said.

Dasilva Ibru added that WARIF through the ARTS will make its stage debut on the 6th of February 2018 at the College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, Lagos with a second presentation on the 7th of February 2018 in University of Lagos at the Law Students of Nigeria Convention. More details will be communicated via the foundation’s official website www.warifng.org.

Anthonia Obokoh