16 Days of Activism in Demsa and Mayo-Belwa: Promoting Awareness and Action against Gender-Based Violence

The Community Empowerment and Peace Building Foundation for Women and Youth (CEPFoWY) and First Step collaborated to organize impactful initiatives in Mayo-Belwa and Demsa Local Government Areas during the 16 days of activism for the elimination of violence against women and girls. With a shared vision of promoting awareness and taking action against gender-based violence, participants gathered at various locations, rallying for change, empowerment, and an end to violence.

Rally Campaign in Demsa Local Government: The rally in Demsa commenced at Hamma Bata’s Palace, despite the absence of the Emir. Participants marched to the District Head office to enlighten the Emir about the significance of the 16 days of activism as the International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls. CEPFoWY and First Step, recognized for their efforts in reducing malaria among pregnant women and children, chose to observe the day in Demsa to raise awareness and sensitize the community about the pressing need to combat gender-based violence. The District Head expressed resolute support for the rally, emphasizing the importance of women’s full participation in all aspects of development.

Engagement in Mayo-Belwa Local Government: In Mayo-Belwa, an impactful awareness creation and sensitization meeting took place at Ardo Clinic. With the participation of 105 individuals, including 33 males and 72 females, the meeting addressed Gender-Based Violence (GBV) comprehensively. Participants delved into various forms of GBV, including denial of resources, wife battering, harmful traditional practices, forced or early marriage, and more. The meeting shed light on the root causes of GBV, emphasizing the significance of recognizing societal norms and unequal power dynamics that contribute to this issue.

During the meeting, the importance of prompt reporting of GBV cases was emphasized. Attendees were provided with contact information for Mayo-Belwa Cottage Hospital and Hope Centre Yola, ensuring that survivors had access to the necessary support and assistance. The participants expressed gratitude for this crucial knowledge and pledged to break the silence surrounding GBV.

Support and Commitment: Both the rally campaign in Demsa and the awareness meeting in Mayo-Belwa witnessed the enthusiastic participation of various groups dedicated to promoting peace, equality, and justice. Notable attendees included the Nigerian Police Force, NYSC members, Boys Bridget, the Nigerian Red Cross, JNI, women’s groups, and the Civil Defense. The collective presence of these organizations underscored the significance of collaborative efforts in fostering positive change.

These events marked significant milestones in the fight against gender-based violence in Mayo-Belwa and Demsa Local Government Areas. The rally campaign in Demsa drew attention to the urgent need for change and women’s empowerment, while the awareness meeting in Mayo-Belwa provided a platform for raising awareness about GBV and encouraging reporting. The resolute determination exhibited by the participants exemplifies their commitment to creating safer and more equitable communities.

By standing together and advocating for equality, we can strive towards societies where every individual is respected, empowered, and free from violence. The efforts of CEPFoWY, First Step, and all the participants highlight the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving lasting change. With continued support and ongoing initiatives, substantial progress can be made in eradicating gender-based violence and providing support to survivors throughout the region.

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  • Azerbaijan Convicts Critics in Relentless Crackdown

    Click to expand Image The Abzas Media team and Bahruz Samadov. © Private On June 20, the Court of Grave Crimes in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku handed down severe prison sentences to a team of independent journalists from Abzas Media, an outlet known for its hard-hitting investigative journalism. Days later, the same court convicted Bahruz Samadov, an outspoken government critic and peace activist. These verdicts fit a pattern of politically motivated arrests and prosecutions pursued by authorities intent on snuffing out independent activism.In the Abzas Media case, three of the organization’s staff members – its director, Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief, Sevinc Vagifgizi, and investigative reporter, Hafiz Babali – were sentenced to nine years in prison, as was an independent economist, Farid Mehralızadeh, who gave interviews to the outlet. The court sentenced journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova to eight years, while the outlet’s deputy director, Mahammad Kekalov, received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence.All seven were convicted on spurious smuggling and other charges, levied against them in retaliation for their work investigating corruption. The charges stem from Azerbaijan’s prohibitive rules on grants, which marginalize civil society and force many groups to suspend work, move abroad, or even shut down.In another mockery of justice, the court sentenced Bahruz Samadov in a closed-door hearing to 15 years in prison on bogus high treason charges. A researcher and student at Charles University in Prague, Samadov was detained in August 2024 while visiting his ailing grandmother. He vehemently denies the charges, claiming they are retaliation for his academic work and speeches criticizing the Azerbaijani government’s human rights violations and its military campaign to regain control over Nagorno Karabakh.These convictions are part of the Azerbaijani authorities’ broader campaign to silence dissent, which intensified around the COP29 climate summit.Human Rights Watch has documented the government's repeated use of dubious criminal charges, including currency smuggling and treason, to target journalists, civil society activists, and academics. Staff from other independent media outlets, such as Toplum TV and Meydan TV, have also been arrested and are awaiting trial.Azerbaijani authorities should immediately release all those unjustly imprisoned and end its relentless crackdown on critics. The European Union and Azerbaijan’s other international partners should condemn the escalating crackdown, call on the authorities to free journalists and other activists jailed for nothing more than exercising their fundamental rights, and impose targeted sanctions on those responsible for orchestrating and carrying out these gross injustices.

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