Access Bank demonstrates commitments to end Sexual and Gender-based Violence
OpenLife reports that Access Bank, Nigeria’s leading financial institution, has elevated its commitment to eradicating Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Nigeria.
To achieve this, the bank has partnered with award-winning film producer and director, Kunle Afolayan, on his new movie ‘Citation.’
‘Citation’ is a movie that follows the story of Moremi, a young postgraduate student who experiences sexual harassment from a lecturer. It stars Temi Otedola in her breakout role as Moremi alongside Jimmy Jean Louis, Joke Silva, AdjeteyAnang, Gabriel Afolayan, Sadiq Dabaand Ini Edo.
The screening of ‘Citation’ marks the beginning of Access Bank’s month-long activities aimed at addressing prevalent issues on SGBV in Nigeria.
Dr Ajoritsedere Awosika, Access Bank Chairman, stressed the importance of the Bank’s efforts towards bridging the gaps that still exist, saying, “At Access Bank, we believe in gender equality and we also believe that there is a need to make women feel safe not only in Nigeria but indeed, across the world.
Awosika emphasized that in many societies, women have been setback by issues such as sexual and gender-based violence. They have been denied access to education, finance, and healthcare.
“We have therefore made it our mandate to put women where they ought to be and where possible, promote initiatives that will foster a better society for all.”
Commenting on SGBV at the private screening of the movie held at Terra Kulture, Ayona Trimnell, Group Head, W Initiative at Access Bank said, “The issue of gender-based violence reaches every corner of the world and Nigeria has indeed been plagued by this issue for too long. With about 30 percent of women and girls aged 15-49 having experienced sexual abuse, it is important that all stakeholders – private and public –contribute to the conversation, offer support and put in place frameworks to eradicate the scourge of gender-violence from our society.”
Ayona Trimnell who expressed excitement about the partnership stated further that since the establishment of the Access Bank W Initiative in 2014, the Bank has executed countless initiatives targeted at empowering women. “We believe that women are key catalysts for change in any society. We were very excited at the opportunity to be a part of a project that will not only spotlight some of the prevalent issues around sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria but also serves as catalyst to address the long-term behavioural change we seek.”
Speaking, Kunle Afolayan explained the metamorphosis of his partnership with Access Bank. “I have seen and heard about the impact Access Bank has been making on the lives of women through its W Initiative, hence, it was easy to select the Bank as a partner given their body of work.
He stressed further that sexual harassment is an issue that is very rampant globally. ‘Citation’ wasn’t created to announce that these issues exist; rather incite conversations about the measures that need to be put in place in other to curb the menace that is sexual and gender-based violence.
In a similar vein, the Bank has also partnered with the Nigerian Governors Wives against Gender-based Violence (NGWA-GBV)to implement high-impact projects across all geo-political zones in Nigeria.
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