Solidarity Center – Nigeria: Amplifying the silence and fighting against GBV in the workplace

Gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) is a pervasive problem in Nigeria, affecting individuals across diverse sectors and backgrounds. It encompasses a range of harmful behaviors directed against individuals based on their gender, including physical violence, sexual harassment, psychological abuse and economic exploitation. Legal frameworks and policies to combat gender-based violence remain weak and cultural beliefs further reinforce the culture of silence and stigma.

Efforts to combat gender-based violence in Nigeria have intensified in recent years, with increased advocacy, awareness campaigns and support services for survivors. Initiatives such as “Mista Silas: A Tale of Unheard Voices” play a crucial role in this fight by using art to amplify the voices of those affected and raise awareness of the issue and its impacts.

“Mista Silas” is a captivating play that explores the profound and often overlooked impact of GBV in the workplace. It highlights the prevalence and effects of discrimination and GBV, brings to life the stories of those who have faced such challenges and gives voice to their struggles and resilience.

The event began with a roundtable discussion with union leaders from Nigeria’s two labor centers, the The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), with Chris Adebayo, National Coordinator of the Solidarity Centre. The panel discussion titled “The Impact of Gender-Based Violence and Harassment in the Workplace” provided a platform for further exploration of the theme presented in the piece.

“We have a lot of laws in place in Nigeria, but their implementation is close to zero,” said Hafsat Shuaib, chairperson of the NTUC Women’s Commission. “But right now we have ILO Convention 190, which is really cutting edge for everyone. Together we can make it happen. Eliminating gender-based violence and harassment is everyone’s business, which is why we must all come together and fight against this phenomenon. It’s all hands on deck.

“Gender-based violence and harassment are criminal. It is a crime against the individual, it is a crime against humanity and it is a crime against God. We are valued as human beings, as individuals. We work for a living, and earning a living does not include (access to) our bodies,” said Rita Goyit, head of the NLC’s women and youth empowerment department.

After the panel discussion, the play set the stage for a narrative exploring the toxic nature of the abuse of power that fuels GBVH in the workplace by introducing Mista Silas, a GBVH author, in his office. With an air of entitlement, he ignores women’s autonomy, viewing them simply as objects of male pleasure.

As the story unfolds, it sheds light on the insidious nature of GBV and the attitudes that perpetuate it. Mista Silas’s words and actions have an emotional and psychological impact on his victims, confronting the audience with the harsh realities many women face in the workplace.

The women experience horrific harassment and retaliation for refusing Mista Silas’s advances, illustrating the survivors’ trauma and resilience. Their synchronized movements and harmonized voices evoke the solidarity and strength found in shared experiences and illustrate the widespread impact of GBVH and the courage needed to oppose it.

By understanding the experiences of people affected by GBVH in the workplace, we can raise awareness and cultivate empathy and a deeper commitment to safe and respectful workplaces.

The piece is a call to action. This highlights the importance of implementing effective policies and support systems to protect and empower all workers. Workplaces must collectively strive to create environments where everyone feels valued, respected and safe.

The audience responded to the performance with a standing ovation. Some wiped away tears, while others expressed gratitude and requested further information from the Solidarity Center. Audible murmurs and gasps of shock and empathy were heard throughout the performance, particularly during scenes depicting abusive experiences. The play’s power to elicit such emotional responses highlights the effectiveness of storytelling and personalization of the issue of gender-based violence and harassment.

In their closing remarks, Sophie Hart and Marie Ledan, representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor, reiterated the importance of combating gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work and thanked the Solidarity Center for used arts and storytelling to raise awareness of the issue.