Tomorrow, March 10, 2015, the city of Lagos will be agog as some notable faces on the television screens will embark on a walk to show their displeasure against r@pe, which is gradually eating deep into the Nigerian society.
The day will also be used to celebrate the International Women’s Day, which held on Sunday, March 8, 2015, and the walk will kick-off at the Archbishop Vinning Memorial Church Ground, GRA, Ikeja by 8am.
The Walk Against R@pe (WAR) campaign, an initiative of a social activist, Esther Ijewere-Kalejaiye, will be an avenue for entertainers to speak their minds on the issue.
WAR is already in its fifth edition and has received a major boost with its endorsement by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs overseen by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
Expected to be at the walk are Kate Henshaw, Monalisa Chinda, Toke Makinwa, Desmond Elliot, Joseph Benjamin, Ini Edo, Omobaba, Emmanuel Ikubese (Mr. Nigeria) Gbemi Olateru Olabegi Iyanya, Emma Nyra, Mercy Aigbe, Iyabo Ojo, Kemi Akindoju amongst others. They have shown interest to participate in the 2015 edition.
WAR is a special demonstration that brings together mothers, fathers, guardians, teachers, youth advocates, social activist, actors, sports personalities, media practitioners, musicians, DJs, comedians, youth organizations, showbiz personalities and student delegates from various higher institutions and secondary schools around Lagos state to lend a voice to sexually abused persons (particularly women and children).
It is also an avenue to show support to the course of bringing an end to rape in Nigeria.
According to the Project Coordinator, Esther Ijewere- Kalejaiye, “Our aim is to help in encouraging victims to speak out and reduce the stigmatization attached to the victims of sexual abuse and R@pe as well as use ‘Walk Against R@pe’ as a platform to inform the society about the soaring scourge of sexual abuse especially as it relates to young girls and women in general.
“We intend achieving a lot more with the campaign this year as we would be having a three months sensitizing workshop College Acquaintance Rape Education (C.A.R.E) in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) for young people of secondary and primary school age to educate and sensitize them on Rape and encourage them to speak up.”
