Abuja, December 10, 2023: The city of Abuja bore witness to a momentous event as leading lights of Nollywood gathered at the United Nations Headquarters to unveil the trailblazing trailer of the soon-to-be-released Gender-Based Violence (GBV) film, “Deafening Silence.” The film, directed by Biodun Stephen, is a collaborative effort between the EU-UN SPORTLIGHT Initiative, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Foundation for Resilient Empowerment and Development (FRED).
The star-studded cast, featuring Nollywood’s best, including Toni Tones, Kate Henshaw, Femi Jacobs, Daniel Etim Effiong, Chidi Mokeme, Bimbo Akintola, Debby Felix, and Ekamma Etim-Inyang, promises a riveting cinematic experience. The film delves into critical aspects of gender-based violence, aiming to provoke thought and stimulate conversations about this prevalent issue in society.
In an event graced by dignitaries and industry professionals, Mr. Blessed Chimrimuta, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, highlighted the significance of the collaboration. He emphasized that “Deafening Silence” is not merely entertainment but a powerful tool to spark conversations around gender inequality and violence against women.
Mattias Schmale, UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, expressed satisfaction in contributing to the intervention against GBV, labeling it a priority for the organization. He stressed the importance of engaging people on human rights issues, particularly gender-based violence, through mediums like film. Schmale called for the protection of the human rights of vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for continuous efforts.
Zissimos Vergos, Deputy Head of Mission at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the global nature of gender-based violence, citing alarming statistics of one in three women experiencing some form of violence in their lifetime. He underscored the role of gender inequality as a driver of poverty in the 21st century.
Charles Ebuebe, Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, commended the Spotlight Initiative and its partners for their commitment to tackling gender-based violence through meaningful storytelling. He pledged support and emphasized the importance of effective laws and societal awareness in addressing the issue.
Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi, UNDP Gender and Human Rights Lead, provided an overview of “Deafening Silence,” describing it as a transformative project that aims to showcase Nigeria’s intervention against gender-based violence. She highlighted the film’s commitment to delivering an immersive and compelling cinematic experience, engaging viewers emotionally and intellectually.
“Deafening Silence” is set to address various forms of abuse and injustice, such as rape, human trafficking, forced surrogacy, blackmail, and marital abandonment. The film, presented as a series, aims to inform, educate, and combat gender-based violence in Nigeria, with plans for release in cinemas and selected TV stations.
Stay tuned for updates on the release of “Deafening Silence,” a groundbreaking film in the fight against gender-based violence.
