Mutiat Lawore 
Top dignitaries and Nollywood stars were some of the personalities that graced the private screening of Deafening Silence, a movie on gender-based violence. Present at the well-attended event include Bimbo Akintola, Kate Henshaw, Femi Branch, The United Nations Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa; the European Union Ambassador, Samuela Isopi; the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, amongst others. The movie, which is 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 is said to align strongly with the Nigerian government’s gender priorities, as well as the European Union and United Nations’ Gender Action Points he movie, which is produced by the UNDP within the framework of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, leverages the power of storytelling to explore themes of gender equality, gender empowerment, and sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria. The film aims to foster deep and honest conversations around these critical issues, with the goal of incentivizing social change. Speaking at the event, the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel, Emanu- ela Claude Del Re, said, “Our aim is to protect victims, and make people understand that the victims are suffering from crime.
“The European Union has been funding projects to support women, especially as re- gards their rights and advancement. Nige- ria also brings some things to the European Union, and I want to say that UNDP is particularly committed to supporting women projects.”
Deafening Silence is in three compo- nents: 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. This 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. These 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
