The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has kick-started the 2024 2024 international human rights day with rollout of 16 days of activism programme.
This year’s theme is, “Equality – Reducing Inequality and Advancing Human Rights.”
While addressing a press conference to unfold Nigeria’s programme on Friday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, noted that this year’s theme is a timely reminder and a rallying call for Nigerians to reaffirm their collective commitment to upholding and protecting the rights of every individual in Nigeria and beyond.
According him, “The International Human Rights Day serves as an opportunity for us to reflect on the progress we have made as a nation in advancing the fundamental rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.
“It also challenges us to confront the gaps and obstacles that continue to hinder the full realization of these rights.”
He explained that the Commission and its partners have lined up series of impactful programs and initiatives designed to amplify the voices of the marginalized, promote accountability, and foster a deeper understanding of human rights among all stakeholders.
Further, he said these activities were designed to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and inspire action toward addressing inequalities and advancing human rights across Nigeria.
The activities include press briefing which officially flagged off the celebration and highlight the connection between the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign and this year’s International Human Rights Day theme.
He assured that throughout the 16 days of Activism, the Commission would be engaged in various activities aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence, promoting gender equality, and advocating for policy and legislative reforms to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
The activities for the 16-days of Activism across the States will include the followings:
On Monday the 25 of November: there will be road show across the 36 State offices in collaboration with CSOs, NBA/FIDA, and other stakeholders from a designated point (NHRC office) to First Lady of the State, who then receives the group and launch the start of the 16 days of activism.
On Tuesday 26 November: there will be visits to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Assembly across the States, for advocacy and lobby for legislation on violence against women and girls.
On Wednesday 27 November: there will also be visits to the Office of the Chief Judges of the States and the Judges of the FHC if available in the State, to discuss cases related to SGBV.
On Thursday 28 November: there shall be a meeting with women/youths’ groups in the State, to further deliberate and identify violations. Here the issues identified at the meeting with the Office of the First Lady will be discussed and notes compared.
On Friday 29 November: there will be another visit to religious and traditional leaders across the states focusing on the rights of women and girls (children).
On Monday 2 December: there will be a meeting with NBA/FIDA, CSOs across the States to explore the legal provisions on the rights of women and girls, holding of perpetrators accountable, and plan of action on advocacy for passage of laws on protection of women and girls from harmful practices peculiar to the State /Area of responsibility.
On Tuesday 3 December: there will be another visit to schools to create awareness on SGBV.
On Wednesday 4 December: there will be another visit to health facilities to sensitize health workers on SGBV and the response; availability of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and other cocktail of drugs for survivors of sexual violence.
On Thursday 5 December: there will be media pally. The State/HQ of the Commission will choose a platform either electronic/social media, to engage with the public on the rights of women and girls.
On Friday 6 December: Compilation of reports from the findings at the various meetings and visits conducted. Communique will be ready for dissemination to the State authorities.
On Monday 9 December: all the Commission’s State coordinators and their team will visit to the Governor of their various States for the presentation of communique from the various engagements; advocacy for policy on violence against women and girls as well as briefing on activities to mark the IHRD and close of 16 days of Activism shall be the focus of the visit.
As the Commission embark on this 16 Day journey, Dr. Ojukwu urged everyone to join in this effort to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
