EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Inaugurates the Women in Film and Television International Network (WIFTI) Nigeria Chapter

Abuja, Nigeria –  The Joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in collaboration with leading women from the creative arts industry has launched the Nigerian Chapter of the Forum for Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI).

The launch took place side by side with the commemoration of the 2021 16 Days of Activism in Abuja, Nigeria. The event brought together high-level participants- Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline K. Tallen; Ms. Joke Silva, Convener of the Women in Film and Television International (Nigerian Chapter), Rita Dominic, Actor; Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, HE John Donnelly, United States Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Mary Beth Leonard; First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu; UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Comfort Lamptey; amongst other stakeholders.

The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and Ecowas Ms. Lamptey expressed the significance of the partnership with women in the creative arts industry as a key factor in advancing women’s rights in Nigeria “it is important for us to ensure all hands are on deck to support the work on gender. The 2020 global gender gap index placed Nigeria at 128 out of 153 countries. A lot more needs to be done.”

The findings of the global gender cap index cover performances across four dimensions—the Economic Participation; Educational Attainment; Health and Survival and Political Empowerment of women. Differences in representation between men and women remain significantly large across indexes.

Convener WIFTI Nigeria, Ms. Ajoke Silva appreciated the immense support from Spotlight Initiative on the push to begin the Nigerian Network of this chapter, “working with UN Women brought us together to work in collaboration on issues that affect women and girls, we know we have the power to shape minds, now we are going to learn together and work together for the good of womankind, for the good of humankind and for the good of Nigeria”.

Dame Tallen expressed her thanks to UN Women and Ms. Joke Silva for putting together the Launch of the Forum for Women in Film and Television, Nigeria. “This forum clearly shows that there is hope for Nigerian Women, this has set the tone for other women organizations to also follow. We can never address pertinent issues without having women in the room, through this network, I believe a lot can be done”

Drawing attention to the 30th-year commemoration of the 16th Days of Activism Campaign against Gender-Based Violence, the Minister of Women Affairs utilized the opportunity to call for the end to violence against women and girls, while stressing the importance for survivors to speak out in other for justice to be served.

WIFTI is a global network dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media. In recognition of the important role that the media and entertainment industry play in shaping attitudes, norms, and culture within society, the launch of the WIFTI Network Nigeria Chapter will provide an important organizing platform for women in film and television to respond to gender-related priorities within their industry, whilst also facilitating their efforts to champion gender equality and women’s empowerment more broadly in Nigeria.

For more information contact:

Olanrewaju Faremi-olanrewaju.faremi@unwomen.org

Judith Owoicho- judith.owoicho@one.un.org