Civil society activists speak out– despite threats
SUVA, Fiji: They are young, smart and willing to take the rough road. Victor speak out with a force that could possibly change the appearance of their countries, and beyond.
Creating awareness for mental health in Nigeria. Motivating young creatives in Guyana to speak out using digital media. Defending human rights and freedom of speech in Egypt. These are some of the missions they have dedicated their lives to.
These ‘sparks of hope’ were awarded the Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards for their contributions to civil society during the International Civil Society Week (ICSW)— highlighting a conference organized by Civicus in Fiji’s capital Suva –in Fiji last week. Nigeria, Guyana and Egypt have already heard of them; the award will make their endeavors known internationally—and it’s high time these inspiring voices are heard.
The Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards seeks to promote individuals and organizations for their excellence and bravery in creating social change. “They inspire compassion and empathy at a time of growing fear, xenophobia, and hate speech,” says Graça Machel, the former First Lady of South Africa.
Every year, Civicus – a civil society organizations alliance – brings the ICSW to another location to “promote and defend a more just and sustain event, highlighting the potential and
The fourth winner – the phil- anthropic Guerrilla Foundation of Germany – was not present at the Fiji awarding.
Victor Ugo (Nigeria) – Best organization of civil society
young man with proven achievements while walking from venue to venue at the conference in Suva. He shows no trace of the depression he once suffered from. He was diagnosed with the condition almost four years ago. And he was lucky, he got treatment. Most Nigerians who have psychiatric ailments never get help.
“Mental healthcare is non-existent in Nigeria,” explains Victor. “There is no knowledge. Not just illiterate people, but also university professors think that mental illnesses are caused by evil ghosts. Patients get punished for their disease.”
As a consequence of the stigma, mental health facilities are really poor. people,” an exasperated Victor says. “And many of them go into banking
After his depression the young doctor founded the Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI). Two years later, it has become Nigeria’s largest mental health organization. MANI combats the stigma, creates awareness and promotes services for mental health. “Most people don’t know the symptoms and that it can be treated.”
Therefore MANI encourages conversation on social media. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube are platforms used for online campaigns on depression, bipolar disorders or bullying. “We explain how a depression feels like. We Victor Ugo dedicates the award he won to all Nigerians coping with mental illness. make people talk about it,” says Victor. Patients share their experience, family and friends can ask for help. to talk about it. We call them our ‘champions of mental health’.”
Media sometimes spread misconceptions about mental health or ignore it completely. “We correct the media so that it is understood that it’s about diseases,” the young man explains. “Suicide, for example. We teach the press how to report on suicides without encouraging it.”
MANI is also creating an online platform to link doctors to patients, like Uber does with drivers and pas- sengers. When a patient asks for help, a therapist in the area is alerted. They can make an appointment after they agree on the price. The platform will be launched next year.
“The less stigma, the more people will ask for help. That will create a market that can encourage more students to become a psychiatrist,” says the hopeful award winner. He dedicates the award to all Nigerians coping with mental illness. “The award makes us more desirable. Everybody wants to join.”
Jubilanté Cutting (Guyana) – Youth Activist Award
- ed the Guyana Animation Network (GAN) to help empower young people with skills in digital media and animation. During the conference in Fiji, she was not only promoting the business model of GAN but also trying to inspire. When the stylishly dressed young woman engages in discussions on civil society, she easily impresses people with her enthusiasm and motivational calls to action.
a workshop on art, technology and animation in Trinidad and Tobago. There I met many talented people who were pushing out Caribbean style