By Maureen Okon
The French Embassy in Nigeria has called on all to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls.
Mr. Oliver Chatelis, First Counselor of the Embassy in Abuja, made the call at the kick-off of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja reports that the programme is an annual international campaign for the Elimination of Violence Against Women scheduled from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10.
The 16 days event started with an Art Exhibition called “Femicides Art Reports, presented by an Artist and Grapic Designer, David Palacios.
He collaborated with two Nigerian artists, Tersoo Gundu and Obi Nwaegbe, to showcase the art work.
The event also has as its theme: “Unite! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.
The activism is geared towards creating awareness on gender-based violence against women and girls in the world.
According to Chatelis, the initiative is part of a large campaign supported by the French diplomacy to support the fight against gender-based violence for a successful result.
“The involvement of all stakeholders is crucial, through the participation of the general public, national actors and partners on the field.
“France carried out a sustained action at the European and international level and calls on all states to ratify and implement the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
“In Nigeria, the French Embassy supports several developmental projects through its Innovative Civil Society Projects and Coalition of Actors (PISCCA), to promote women’s rights and fight against Gender-Based violence (GBV),” he said.
The Envoy also added that to promote women’s right and fight against GBV, the Embassy, in partnership with the French Institute in Nigeria, support the opening of the exhibition.
He added that each art-piece gathering painting on canvas, photographs and photo-grahics reports, offered a critical reflection and powerful interpretation of femicidas.
“We will continue to encourage actions that contribute to the fight against GBV, also.
“Take this opportunity to remind you all of the rich Programmes lined up by both the embassy and the institute to commemorate the16 days activism this year.
“I humbly wish this event to be an opportunity to pursue these efforts and transform them into actions here In Nigeria,” he said.(NAN)
