In honour of and in commemoration of the United Nations’ “16 Days of Global Activism against Gender-Based Violence” in 2022, a non-governmental organisation called Live Abundantly funded the play “Menace” in collaboration with The British Council.
The play was produced by Magni Cedar Production. Several dignitaries attended the event, which took place last weekend in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The one-person, multi-dimensional drama focuses on issues of gender-based violence that affect both sexes while shedding light on the roots of the issue that traumatises, shames, and stigmatises people, especially males who typically don’t like talking about such things.
Benny Akinyemi, the play’s lone performer and author, claimed that it was based on real-life experiences of people and that he had had similar ones.
Dr. Onyerinma Ama, the creator of Live Abundantly, also denounced all forms of violence and urged that focus be given to violence against men. It’s about time we acknowledged that guys experience sexual abuse as well, albeit perhaps not to the same extent as we are aware of with women. But since it does exist, attention should be paid to it. Unfortunately, males find it difficult to talk about it because of their cultural and societal prejudices.
Ama also related how some victim’s families shied away from taking legal action out of embarrassment and guilt. She continued by saying that a suitable structure should be put in place to aid victims in reintegrating into society.
Similarly, Chim Chalemera, the envoy of the British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Ben LLewellyn-Jones, concurred that men’s violence received little attention. But she also pointed out that plays like this might raise awareness and empower men to speak up when they are abused without feeling humiliated.
Chalemera said, “It starts at home with parents acknowledging that all children, both male and female, have voices, and they should be encouraged to use them.
“The notion that men don’t cry has not helped our men. It starts from parents raising their sons to not feel ashamed to cry and show their emotions.”
Other dignitaries at the event included Daddy Showkey, the chair and trustee of Live Abundantly, Gbenga Oguntayo, the director of examinations for Nigeria for the British Council, Marniee Nottingham, and Lucy Pearson, the country manager for the organisation.
