MTN Nigeria Hosts Deafening Silence Screening to Spotlight Gender-Based Violence

MTN Nigeria, as part of its commitment to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, hosted an exclusive screening of the film Deafening Silence on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at its rooftop event center in Falomo, Lagos.

The event, which was attended by MTN staff in person and virtually, aimed to foster awareness and drive conversations about gender-based violence (GBV) among its workforce, emphasising the company’s dedication to addressing societal issues that affect women across different communities in Nigeria.

A compelling 90-minute drama, Deafening Silence is a joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Foundation for Resilient Empowerment and Development (FRED). The movie explores the harsh realities of GBV through the story of different women and girls. Produced by Emem Isong and directed by Biodun Stephen, the film features an ensemble cast of acclaimed actors, including Kate Henshaw, Chidi Mokeme, Bimbo Akintola, Femi Jacobs, and Toni Tones. Since its premiere in June 2024, the film has received acclaim for its ability to shed light on the physical, emotional, and systemic abuses faced by women and girls.

The screening aligns with the broader objectives of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, a global initiative aimed at eradicating violence against women and girls. Launched in 1991 during the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute, the campaign begins annually on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on December 10, which is the Human Rights Day.

The campaign pushes a clear message that there is #NoExcuse for violence against women and underscores the urgent need for collective action to combat the pervasive violation of women’s rights.

Speaking at the event, Temilade Olabanji, Senior Manager, Sustainability and Shared Value, MTN Nigeria, stressed the importance of collective action. “Gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue; it’s a human rights issue that requires all of us to act. As we watch this movie, let it spark conversations, educate us, and inspire us to speak up for a world free of discrimination, fear, and violence against women,” she remarked.

The statistics shared during the event painted a sobering picture of the global GBV crisis: one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetime, and 38% of all female homicides are committed by intimate partners. In Nigeria, 27% of women aged 15–49 report physical or sexual violence from a partner, highlighting the pressing need for education and intervention.

Through the screening of Deafening Silence, MTN Nigeria emphasised its commitment to fostering a socially responsible environment that advocates equity, safety, and justice.

By Abidemi Akanbi

MTN Nigeria Hosts Deafening Silence Screening to Spotlight Gender-Based Violence