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Transcript/ScriptFOR USAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Nigeria GBV Radio (TV)
HEADLINE: Nigerian Radio Show Highlights Cases of Gender Based Violence
TEASER: The program airs the stories of GBV victims and works with a legal non-profit group to prosecute those responsible for the crimes
PUBLISHED AT: Tuesday, 02/08/2022 at: 3:55 pm
BYLINE: Timothy Obiezu
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Jos, Nigeria
VIDEOGRAPHER: Emeka Gibson
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER: Rob Raffaele
SCRIPT EDITORS: BR, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): All VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:00
VID APPROVED BY: BR
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO: ))
[[A radio program in Nigeria is helping break through conservative culture barriers by highlighting cases of Gender Based Violence, or GBV. Even before the coronavirus lockdowns, many women and girls were victims of GBV. Timothy Obiezu reports from Jos, Nigeria.]]
((NARRATOR))
Fatima, who does not want her real name used, is a rape victim. She is also wearing a mask to protect her identity.
Fatima was on her way home from evening prayer in April 2020, when she was assaulted by two armed men.
((Fatima, Rape Victim)) ((In English, 23 secs))
"They had a gun to my head, and a knife to my throat as they took me into the building. They raped me and they kept taking turns while they were stabbing me doing the act.”
((NARRATOR)) At first, she was too afraid to report the incident to the authorities. Her rapists threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
But like many residents in Jos Plateau state Nigeria, every Thursday evening she listens to a radio show where victims of gender-based violence talk about their ordeals.
Fatima eventually broke the silence.
((NAT Sounds - Fatima calling the show: “I need your help to push through with the case....”))
((NARRATOR))
Nanji Nandang is the host of Silent Voices, a show on the local JayFM radio station. Nandang says the program reaches 100-thousand listeners every week.
((Nanji Nandang, GBV Radio Host)) ((In English, 26 secs))
"When they're telling me their problem, they feel like this is a safe space. /// There are times I'd go emotional on the show. There are times I'd go blank because when you hear some cases, you'll wonder if we have normal human beings again on earth because some people behave like monsters and it's really disturbing.”
((NARRATOR))
To help victims get justice, Nandang works with the International Federation of Women Lawyers, or FIDA. The non-profit offers free legal representation to victims who report cases on the radio show.
((NARRATOR))
But FIDA’s representative in Plateau State says getting justice for victims is not easy.
((Mary Izam, Int’l Federation of Women Lawyers Representative)) ((In English, 21 secs))
"There's so many bottlenecks, so somehow we encounter some delays, but our presence also gives us a lot of breakthroughs. There are cases that ordinary people will report to the police, and they're not being given the necessary attention. But the moment they call on FIDA for FIDA's intervention, the moment we appear, the police will hasten the process."
((NARRATOR))
While Fatima's rapists have yet to be convicted, FIDA will be monitoring the case.
Meanwhile, the radio program will continue to help the victims of gender-based violence.
((NAT SOUND - Nanji Signs off "share your story with me, tell me what sexual and gender-based violence issue you're facing))
((Timothy Obiezu, for VOA News, Jos Plateau State, Nigeria))
NewsML Media TopicsHuman Interest
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 8, 2022 15:58 EST
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
