There are so many reasons people travel but for me, a primary reason will be to learn about the leadership and governance experience across the globe. Thanks to Women's Democracy Network travel fund for making this happen and to Women in Politics Forum for creating spaces for young women.

So you mean like this I’m already three years post call? Wowwwww!!! Very soon my practicing fees will increase…

What a way to begin this phase!

We are glad to kickstart the conversation today with Onomwem as our guest. Faith Waziri is an advocate for women’s political empowerment, working tirelessly to ensure women’s voices are heard and their rights are recognized. Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #EndGBVnow #SpeakUp

Thank you very much Women in Politics Forum for having me join this conversation and thank you for making this an open conversation as we breakdown issues around GBV. Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

For years, GBV has been accepted as a norm in different communities within and beyond Nigeria. Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

Sadly, though we have males and females alike as victims of GBV, we see that females (women and girls) are more prone to become victims of GBV due to accepted norms and practices over time. Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

When the conversation about addressing GBV became a priority issue in the civic space, it was no surprise the amount of resistance it received (and continues to receive) though some progress has been made. Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

At this point, it’s important for us to note that the progress we have made so far in addressing and combating GBV could not have happened at this pace if not for the continuous efforts of civil society organizations. Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

What then are civil society organizations? A civil society organization (CSO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group which is organized on a local, national or international level, to drive development. Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

In the Nigerian Civic Space, we see CSOs across local, national & international levels unifying to combat GBV & in recent times, there have been more focus on coalition building harnessing the power of social movement to address GBV Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp

In more recent times, the recognition of GBV as a pandemic that needs to be addressed rigorously, has birthed more coalitions in the international community in terms of funding, resource pooling and strategy building. Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

More so we see that GBV has become an issue cutting across other issues affecting the promotion of women’s rights such as peace building,conflict resolution,political participation,Sexual &Reproductive rights among others Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

Currently, in a lot of countries,there are existing frameworks addressing GBV which was not the case some 5decades to a century ago. This achievement can be attributed, though not entirely but to a large extent, to the role CSOs play Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp

These roles revolve around: Advocacy, Policy Analysis, policy influencing, coalition building, Training, Teaching, Sensitization, Campaign, and a host of others… Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

These roles are actually things we can take up as individuals in our communities. Addressing GBV should not be left alone to CSOs but should be our collective responsibility as humans. When we #speakup we are actually playing the role CSOs play & it’s not too little Women in Politics Forum

As we conclude today’s conversation, I’ll like to highlight that the fight against GBV isn’t a CSO fight alone, it’s a HUMANITY FIGHT and this is our call to do something about GBV. Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

Thank you once more Women in Politics Forum for having me join this conversation and thank you for your commitment to #endgbv Women in Politics Forum Nigerian Women Trust Fund #BreakTheSilence #SpeakUp #EndGBVnow

Onomwem is having an Experience Sharing session with the participants, highlighting the amazing work of our Young Women In Politics Forum State Chapters and the impact they’re making. With support from UN Women Nigeria and Global Affairs Canada #YWPAcademy #wipf2024

Audi altarem partem… #audialtarempartem