FEMNET | SOLIDARITY DAY OF ACTION TO #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS TO TAKE PLACE ACROSS AFRICA ON THURSDAY, MAY 15

SOLIDARITY DAY OF ACTION TO #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS TO TAKE PLACE ACROSS AFRICA ON THURSDAY, MAY 15

By FEMNET
13 May 2014

The African Women’s Development and Communication Network, FEMNET, has called on hundreds of its members across over 40 African countries to organize and mobilize peaceful demonstrations at Nigerian Embassies around the continent on Thursday, 15th May 2014, also the International Day of the Family, to express pan-African solidarity with the abducted Nigerian school girls, their families and their loved ones. May 15th marks one month since the girls were abducted.
Actions are being organized simultaneously around the continent to express concern over the slow response of the Nigerian government and demand the immediate and safe return of the 276 girls as well as at least eight more who were subsequently abducted. These follow a series of atrocities by Boko Haram, which include a bombing that killed of over 300 last week as well as abductions and killing of school going youth in previous months.
Upon the safe return of the girls, we call for the commitment of the Nigerian government, among others, to provide psychosocial support, to rebuild the schools and reaffirm the girl’s rights to safety, security and education as a process of restoring their dignity. Calls are also being made for urgent action by fellow African governments, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) to substantively support immediate and long term interventions to address the underlying systemic issues.
In light of this, all citizens of conscience are invited to join in the solidarity day of action on Thursday, May 15, 2014 to speak out against increasing fundamentalisms and oppressive systems of patriarchy and domination that perpetuate injustice.
In Kenya, the Africa UNiTE Kenya Chapter, Akili Dada, Equality Now, the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights Coalition and FEMNET will be leading a peaceful march to the Nigerian High Commission commencing at Freedom Corner, Uhuru Park at 9AM. Participants are asked to wear something red in solidarity and support for Nigeria.
Pan-African Expressions and Marches of Solidarity are taking place across the continent.
Cameroon. Cote D’Ivoire. Egypt. Ghana. Liberia. Mauritius. Madagascar. Seychelles. Senegal. Sudan. Tanzania. Togo. Uganda. Zambia. Zimbabwe.
Take action:
Sign the letters to Nigerian government officials as well as other policy makers here.
Join us online – see social media messages and mapping here.
If in Nairobi, join us in person on Thursday, May 15th.
FEMNET Statement on Abduction of Girls in Chibok, Nigeria