This cinematic project aimed to raise awareness and spark critical conversations about GBV, highlighting the urgent need for societal change and the promotion of gender equality.
The EU and UNDP in Nigeria hosted a private screening of the movie titled “Deafening Silence,” a feature film born from the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative.
This initiative advocated for gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria, aligning with the country’s gender priorities and the broader goals of the European Union and the United Nations.
“Deafening Silence,” produced under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, leverages storytelling to tackle themes of Gender Equality, Gender Empowerment, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.
The film sought to foster deep and honest conversations around these issues, aiming to drive social change.
The EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, a global partnership funded by the EU, strives to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030.
In Nigeria, this initiative has been implemented across five states and the Federal Capital Territory, concluding in December 2023.
Despite the initiative’s formal end, the EU and UNDP remain committed to supporting the Nigerian government’s efforts to promote gender equality and combat gender-based violence.
At the screening, Samuela Isopi, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the role of art in promoting behavioural change and awareness around negative social norms. “It is my hope that this film will contribute to promoting gender equality and preventing gender-based violence in Nigeria,” she stated.
Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative of UNDP Nigeria, emphasized that “Deafening Silence” is more than just a film.
“It is a comprehensive communication, media, and visibility intervention designed to challenge biased gender norms and inspire transformative conversations,” she remarked.
