(Photo : Twitter/WomenGirlsLead)
Dear One Billion Rising and V-Day Activists,
Two weeks ago, 234 teenage girls were kidnapped in the Nigerian city of Bornu while taking their exams. It is assumed that the girls were taken by Boko Haram, a local Islamic extremist group whose name means “western education is forbidden.” It is feared that the girls have been sold into marriage to the militants and some have been moved to nearby countries of Cameroon and Chad. Long-time V-Day activist and One Billion Rising coordinator in Nigeria, Amy Oyekunle, writes to us about the horrific situation there – where conflicting information about the girls’ whereabouts and their current status and situation has left parents and loved ones devastated. We are asking you, our fellow One Billion Rising and V-Day activists to put the girls in your thoughts, prayers, and meditations, as well as those of the Nigerian women, men, and activists who have been taking and continue to take to the streets until the girls are brought back to their families safely.
We are calling on all of our One Billion Rising and V-Day activists to stand and rise for justice with our sisters in Nigeria, and to call for global solidarity for Nigeria.
Please do the following:
1. SIGN THE PETITION
2. #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS:
USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE SITUATION IN NIGERIA
The focus is to put massive pressure on the government, security forces, and the neighboring governments (of Chad and Cameroon) to spur them to action – specifically to #BringBackOurGirls. It is deplorable that this situation has been happening for quite some time now and hasn’t received the attention it needs to stop the killings, abductions, and constant insecurity plaguing women and girls in the North and the rest of Nigeria.
3. HOLD A SOLIDARITY DAY OF ACTION ON 5 MAY
The Nigerian government is currently focused on preparing for the World Economic Forum (WEF) taking place in Abuja/Lagos from 6 May – 10 May holding various meetings and activities. While the event was welcomed before the kidnappings happened, there is growing anger that the WEF has taken priority over the lives and welfare of over 200 Nigerian citizens. A huge rally is being planned in Lagos on Monday, 5 May to call for justice for the missing girls, and to use it as an opportunity to show that “Women and Girls Matter.”
WE ARE CALLING ON OUR ONE BILLION RISING NETWORKS ALL OVER THE WORLD TO STAND OUTSIDE THE NIGERIAN EMBASSIES IN YOUR COUNTRIES TO DEMAND JUSTICE AND TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH OUR SISTERS IN NIGERIA.
RISE FOR JUSTICE FOR OUR SISTERS IN NIGERIA!
RISE TO DEMAND THEIR RELEASE!
