‘Deafening Silence’ screens in Lagos

…UNDP, EU, UN support movie

International bodies in Nigeria have rallied round the country’s bourgeoning creative industry. The bodies, which included the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme, European Union, among others, hosted a private screening of ‘Deafening Silence’ movie to a select audience of the international community comprising country representatives and business executives.

Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa; Samuela Isopi, European Union Ambassador, and Mohammed Malick Fall, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, were present at the screening, which was held in Lagos.

“Deafening Silence” movie, currently showing in cinemas across Nigeria and beyond, is a result of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative that advocates for gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria. The Spotlight Initiative aligns strongly with Nigeria’s gender priorities as well as the European Union’s and the United Nations’ Gender Action Points. The intervention is on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and combating SGBV and Violence Against Women (VAW).

Produced by the UNDP, within the framework of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, “Deafening Silence” leverages the power of storytelling to explore themes of gender equality, gender empowerment, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Nigeria. The film aims to foster deep and honest conversations around these critical issues, with the goal of incentivizing social change.

The transformative initiative is also part of a broader gender norm result-chain intervention developed by the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in Nigeria. Therefore, the film seeks to raise awareness and inspire action to combat GBV, promoting a society where gender equality and empowerment are fundamental values.

Fielding questions to the media about the victims of gender-based violence, Emanuela Claude Del Re, European Union Special Representative for the Sahel, said that, “Some people don’t understand that they are victims. They think it is normal to treat people in that way. Our aim is to protect victims and make people understand that the victims are suffering from a crime.”

She commended ‘Deafening Silence’ movie for its remarkable impact in the fight against gender-based violence. According to her, “The film is not only for Nigeria. The film is for the world. At this moment tonight, Nigeria is the centre of the world,” she added.

She further remarked that, “European Union has been funding projects to support women, especially funding for the rights of women and for the advancement of women. Nigeria also brings some things to the European Union and I want to say that UNDP is particularly committed to supporting women projects. I am on the side of women. Everyone’s contribution is very vital,” she affirmed.

Speaking at the event, Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria, said “The story tonight is that three out of every 10 women have experienced gender-based violence. These are people in our family who are being impacted by gender-based violence. It is your brother, your sister, mothers, cousins, aunties, among others. Therefore, it is a collective responsibility for all of us to be able to take action.”

She added that there is a need for partnership with the private sector, partnership with the creative industry, and partnership with the media to help in the storytelling and to help the United Nations.

“We at the United Nations are particularly intentional in bringing stakeholders together to help in telling this story. We are hoping that we will all take it further. It is an opportunity to challenge this gender-based violence and I believe this is the beginning of the conversation,” she said.

According to Mohamed Malick Fall, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, there is nothing more important than the essence of the gathering at the Deafening Silence screening event, which is about development.

For him, the role of women in development is a critical issue. “The movie reflects the reality of what we see on a daily basis. It is not only about Nigeria or Africa but about the world. We have done the comparatives to understand the full participation of women in the development process. It is a wakeup call for all of us to join hands to address issues of gender-based violence, gender inequality, discrimination against women, address societal norms and economic barriers or limitations that they face in the dynamics of power within society. I think that is why the gathering this evening is very important,” Fall noted.

Speaking further, he said that the male child in the modern-day society should be raised with the understanding of equality between the male and the female child (girls and boys), each one having a role to play in the society.

“It is good to start the transformation of the mind from the roots so that they will grow with the value of equality and the value of standing against discrimination and the value of empowering women. The government has a role to play through the right policies, and institutions; but I think it should not be about government alone but through something that provokes the entire society with all the units and institutions playing their roles.”

However, the movie, “Deafening Silence” is in three components: film, limited series and television series.

Film: A compelling, impactful and thought-provoking movie that will spark broader discussions in Nigeria about gender equality, empowerment, sexual and gender-based violence, and violence against women. The movie will captivate audiences emotionally and intellectually, providing a forum for critical debate and action.

Limited Series (8 episodes): In collaboration with Netflix, episodes were created to delve deeper into the movie’s narratives and themes. The episodes aim to educate viewers about the complexities of gender-based violence and empower them to effect positive change.

Television series: A three to five-year television series, beginning with a one-year series, will expand on the stories told in the movie and Netflix episodes. It will advance the narrative, question traditional roles and expectations, and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable society.