October Newsletter 2023

Welcome to the October edition of the Voice Newsletter, where we continue our journey of empowerment and enlightenment. In this edition, we highlight the remarkable efforts of organizations and individuals dedicated to making a positive impact on society.

This month, we witness the incredible work of the Motherhen Development Foundation (MDF) in Gombe State, where their commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and empowering community mentors is nothing short of inspiring. The power of collective action in creating safer and more gender-inclusive communities is evident in their work.

On October 7, 2023, the Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) commemorated the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP). Their theme, "Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations," resonated with their mission to champion the rights and well-being of older individuals in Nigeria.

We also highlight the Persons with Disability (PWDs) Community of Practice (CoP), who conducted virtual campaigns to raise awareness about cerebral palsy and celebrate International White Cane Safety Day.

And lastly, a recent Twitter Space event hosted by COSROPIN and the  Elderly Community of Practice (CoP), focuses on upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for older persons in our society.

As we reflect on the impact of these activities, we are reminded of what our collective efforts can achieve. The October edition of the Voice Newsletter continues to shine a light on the journey and the dedication of individuals and organizations working toward positive change.

Thank you for being a part of the Voice community, and we hope you find this edition both informative and motivating as we continually work  toward a more inclusive and equitable world.

Motherhen Development Foundation (MDF) Empowers Community Influencers in Gombe State to Combat Gender-Based Violence.

The Motherhen Development Foundation (MDF) in Gombe State wrapped up a 2-day Influencers and Refresher training for Community mentors on October 4, 2023. Hosted at Amina Hall, located opposite the Ministry of Agriculture in Gombe State, the training aimed to address pressing issues related to gender-based violence (GBV) and community empowerment. It achieved its objectives, including raising awareness about GBV, promoting safe spaces, encouraging the reporting of GBV cases, and arming influencers with relevant information required to educate their followers. It also seeks to advocate for policy change and cultural shifts, fostering a united effort to end violence amongst rightsholders in communities.

Community influencers during the training

The training involved 24 dedicated participants hailing from various Local Government Areas, including Bambam, Bojude, Yamaltu Deba in Gombe State, and Biu LGA in Borno State. With the active contribution of two lead facilitators and three dedicated team members from the MDF-Voice project, this initiative marked a significant step forward in the fight against gender-based violence in the region. The Motherhen Development Foundation's commitment to empowering and equipping community mentors and influencers underscores the importance of collective action in creating safer and more gender-inclusive communities.

Photo showing community influencers who participated in the training

COSROPIN's  UN Day of Older Persons 2023: Bridging Generations and Fulfilling Promises

On October 7, 2023, the Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) came together with the Voice Community of Practice on Eldercare to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP). This year's theme, "Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations," resonated with COSROPIN's mission to champion the rights and well-being of older individuals in Nigeria. The day began with a spirited road walk in Abuja, where participants carried placards bearing messages like "Older Persons Need Social Security" and "Say No To Older Person Abuse." This walk not only raised awareness but also encouraged community involvement, uniting bystanders in support of older persons' rights.

Photos showing rightsholders during COSROPINs activities on the International day of Older Persons

The heart of the commemoration was an enlightening seminar attended by government agencies (National Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid Council, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Council of Women Societies, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and National Health Insurance Authority), civil society organizations, and rightsholders. It centered on strategies for fulfilling the promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for older persons, emphasizing social security, elder abuse eradication, respect promotion, and access to quality healthcare. A standout moment was the recognition of COSROPIN's Older Persons Hangout Program, which earned the organization the prestigious 2023 Common Age Recognizing Excellence Award. This initiative provides older individuals with a space for social interaction, support, and learning, epitomizing COSROPIN's commitment to creating age-friendly communities where older individuals are valued, respected, and empowered. In conclusion, COSROPIN's 2023 UN Day of Older Persons demonstrated their unwavering dedication to older persons' rights and well-being, bridging generational gaps, and uniting people in a collective commitment to fulfill the promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for older persons.

Photo showing Rightsholders, Stakeholders, members of the Voice CoP on Eldercare and COSROPIN team during the awareness lecture

PWDs CoP raise awareness for Cerebral palsy and  White Cane days in 2023

On October 6th and 15th, the Persons with Disability (PWD) Community of Practice (CoP) supported by Voice, conducted virtual campaigns in observance of World Cerebral Palsy Day and International White Cane Safety Day respectively. These campaigns were designed to raise public awareness about cerebral palsy, emphasize the importance of inclusion, and celebrate the remarkable resilience of individuals with disabilities who use white canes.

Partners, stakeholders, and advocates joined forces to disseminate these promotional materials across various digital social platforms such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram and X in a “status challenge”, effectively reaching a diverse and extensive audience.

Information, education, and communication (IEC) posters for the observance of the international days

COSROPIN and Elderly CoP Host Twitter Space in Honor of UNIDOP 2023

A recent Twitter Space event, organized by the Coalition of Societies for the rights and well-being of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) in partnership with the Elderly Community of Practice (CoP) supported by Voice, shone a spotlight on the invaluable wisdom of older individuals and their rights in Nigeria. This gathering took place on the 11th of October which marks the 2023 United Nations International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP), and was dedicated to upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for senior citizens of our society.

The event featured some remarkable speakers, including Senator Eze Ajoku, who passionately highlighted the pivotal roles that active older individuals can play in the growth of our society, particularly in areas like farming and mentoring. He underscored the untapped wealth of wisdom they possess and called for government initiatives to support their ability to provide crucial family assistance to ultimately contribute to our nation's development positively.

Poster for the Twitter Space

Another speaker, Mr. Lucas Koyejo, delved into the legislative frameworks necessary for promoting healthy aging practices in Nigeria. He pointed out the absence of specific enforceable laws safeguarding the rights of older persons and the challenges in implementing the existing National Policy on Aging. Mr. Koyejo stressed the importance of enacting enforceable laws to protect the rights of older individuals effectively.

In addiion, Chichi Margaret Nkire shared insights on combating ageism and the significance of creating an age-friendly society, with a particular focus on employers addressing issues like forced retirement to foster inclusivity. Rev. Sr. Mary Jude championed a campaign aimed at raising awareness and empowering women while emphasizing the need to engage traditional leaders in creating safe spaces for our aging population. Mrs. Agatha Nnaji emphasized the value of intergenerational knowledge sharing.

This 2-hour virtual learning event served as a heartfelt reminder of the vital roles played by older individuals in our society and called for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to aging in Nigeria. The feedback encourages the celebration of the contributions of the elderly, the creation of enforceable laws, the battle against ageism, and the promotion of intergenerational knowledge sharing as essential elements in safeguarding the rights and well-being of older members of our community.

Thank you for taking the time to read this edition of the newsletter. We hope you found it informative and engaging. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Finally, we urge you to stay curious, stay connected, and as always, stay awesome!

Until next time,

Cognito
(Linking and Learning Facilitator)

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