Warif Set to Tackle Gender-Based Violence Through Arts
The Warif Advocacy Through Arts (WTA) is a new initiative by WARIF Foundation which seeks to create awareness; change behavioural patterns; discourage gender-based violence (GBV) in tertiary institutions. “With the widespread issue of Gender-based Violence across university campuses today, there is a need to engage young women and men in these institutions,” said a statement by WTA. This preventive programme 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.
Bolanle Austen-Peters; Director & 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.”
Dr. Kemi DaSilva –Ibru, also commenting on the new initiative noted, “We recognize 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 mindset 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.”
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.
Women At Risk International Foundation –WARIF is a Non-Governmental Organisation that was incorporated in 2016 by Dr. Kemi Da-Silva Ibru MD; MPH in response to the high incidence of sexual assault, rape and human trafficking occurring among young girls and women across Nigeria. This is achieved through the implementation of immediate and preventive target – oriented interventions, that all have the hallmark of the foundation initiatives of being impactful, measurable and sustainable.