As we count down to the flag-off of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, and indeed every day after, we at the Milestone Initiative for Human Rights and Empowerment reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where women and girls can live, love, dream, and grow without fear.

This moment is more than a campaign. It is a call for collective awakening.
A call to unlearn harmful patterns embedded in our social fabric, relearn our shared humanity, and intentionally stand with survivors whose voices have been ignored, dismissed, or feared for far too long.

Gender-based violence is not always loud.
It does not always announce itself with bruises or threats.
More often, violence begins in silence—in the quiet acceptance of harmful norms, in the normalization of behaviours we should question, and in cultures that disguise abuse under the labels of “discipline,” “tradition,” or “love.”

These silent beginnings are dangerous because they create environments where violations are excused, survivors are shamed, and accountability is deferred. Ending GBV requires more than outrage when harm becomes visible; it demands the courage to confront the quiet places where violence is born.

This year, MIHRE will join the walk in solidarity with women, girls, survivors, and allies to say No More.
Our commitment is rooted in action and grounded in community. We will work to:

• Sensitize and educate the public on the many forms of gender-based violence and its consequences
• Speak out boldly against harmful jokes, norms, stereotypes, and silences that fuel discrimination
• Believe survivors—not only by hearing their stories but by amplifying their voices and validating their experiences

At MIHRE, we believe change begins when people choose courage over silence.
When institutions choose empathy over stigma.
When communities choose protection over indifference.

The 16 Days of Activism remind us that violence is not an inevitable part of life.
It is a social construct, and what society constructs, society can dismantle.

As we walk, speak, educate, and advocate, we carry the hope of a future where gender-based violence is not just reduced but eradicated. A future where every woman and girl in Nigeria and across the world can live in dignity, safety, and freedom.

Together, we choose courage over silence.
Together, we demand a safer world for women and girls.
Together, we rise.

#16DaysOfActivism #EndGBV #NoMoreSilence #MIHRE #StandWithSurvivors #StopTheViolence #HumanRightsForAll #OrangeTheWorld #EndVAWG #BreakTheCycle #UnlearnRelearnStand

 

At Milestone Initiative, with support from Heartland Alliance-Nigeria and ViiV Healthcare Positive Action, we joined hands with the Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Marie Stopes International (MSI), The Challenge Initiative (TCI), and other partners to commemorate this day. Together, we spread the message that family planning is more than a health service; it is a fundamental right and a step toward equality.

We believe that:

• Women have the right to make informed decisions; therefore, contraceptive choice should reflect intention, safety, and dignity.

• All communities must have access to accurate information and affordable contraceptive options.

But we must also confront a hard truth that women who use and inject drugs (WWUID) face higher risks of unintended pregnancies and maternal deaths due to stigma, neglect, and poor access to healthcare. At MIHRE, we are committed to bridging this gap by integrating family planning with harm reduction because no woman should be left behind.

Through open conversations, we can break the silence, build healthier families, strengthen communities, and create a world where reproductive agency is a reality for everyone.

Happy World Contraception Day 2025

#WorldContraceptionDay #ReproductiveHealth #SexualHealthAwareness #FamilyPlanning #HarmReduction #PartnershipsForChange