The HERE photo exhibition organized by The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) in partnership with Stand To End Rape Initiative (STER) was officially launched at the weekend at the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos with pictures that tell life stories of rape victims.
A victim, Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, Executive Director, Stand To End Rape Initiative, while declaring the exhibition open, mentioned that when she was abused seven years ago, there was no organization to stand with her.
This served as a motivation to start an organization aimed at telling stories of those who have been sexually abused and to support them through the entire recovery process.
“The Here campaign is for those who have been sexually abused but are not able to tell their stories physically, through this exhibition we are helping them tell their stories using pictures” Osowobi said.
Jumoke Sanwo, Creative Director, Revolving Art Incubator, said she hopes the exhibition generates the right conversation that will influence lawmakers, law enforcers, and the community, to take necessary action to address the scourge.
While addressing guests at the exhibition, Olumide Makanjuola, Executive Director of The Initiative for Equal Rights mentioned that it is an avenue to talk about the sexual abuse straight people and members of the LGBT community go through daily in the society.
“Tonight has been amazing, because it has been an avenue where we can talk about everything without holding back, but realizing that there is a problem. It is amazing that we can tell the stories of people who have suffered from sexual abuse, abuse from the public and the police because of their sexual orientation,” Makanjuola said.
“I’m also inviting everyone to be here during the closing on May 14, let’s have conversations about sexual abuse and rape, because you never know, it could happen to anyone,” he added.
The exhibition also featured a panel discussion, which featured media personality, Arit Okpo; writer, Titilope Sonuga; and Head Psychotherapist of STER, Amanda Iheme.
The exhibition is now officially open to the public. It will stay open till Sunday May 14, 2017.
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