Organisation Inaugurates Arts Project To Empower Girls On Gender Justice

By Angela Atabo

A women-led organisation, Girl Child Value Support Initiative, has inaugurated the “ARTvocacy for Gender Justice” project to empower the girl-child.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Miss Precious Samson, made this known while inaugurating the project on Monday in Abuja.

According to Samson, the initiative is aimed at harnessing the power of art in its various forms, from poetry and song to painting and filmmaking, to raise awareness and advocate for gender equality.

She said that it was also aimed at working towards eradicating violence against women and girls.

“Led by the Girl Child Value Support Initiative, is a community-based organisation dedicated to uplifting and empowering young girls.

“This project is poised to make a significant impact on Nigerian society.

“The focus is to train 100 young girls between the ages of 18 and 30 in a wide array of artistic disciplines, including poetry, drama, photography, scriptwriting, podcasts, filmmaking, animation, and storytelling.

“ARTvocacy for Gender Justice seeks to equip these individuals with the tools and platform to amplify their voices and effect meaningful change,’’ she said.

Samson said that gender-based violence remained a pressing issue in Nigeria, with countless women and girls subjected to various forms of abuse and discrimination daily.

She said that recognising the urgent need for action, the organisation decided to take a proactive stance by harnessing the transformative power of art to address this pervasive societal problem.

She said that through the medium of art, participants in the ARTvocacy for Gender Justice project would have the opportunity to express their experiences, insights, and aspirations.

Samson added that they would also engage with broader audiences to foster dialogue and promote understanding.

“By leveraging art as a tool for advocacy and social change, the project aims to challenge harmful stereotypes, dismantle patriarchal structures, and ultimately create a more inclusive and equitable society for all,’’ she said.

Samson said that the inauguration of the project represented a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence in Nigeria.

She said that with the support of the organisation and its partners, including local community organisations, government agencies, and civil society groups, the initiative had the potential to catalyse positive and lasting change across the country.

“As Nigeria continues to strive towards a future of gender equality and social justice, initiatives like ARTvocacy for Gender Justice serve as beacons of hope.

“It will inspire individuals and communities to come together in solidarity to build a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow,’’ she said. (NAN)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Abiemwense Moru