Toni Tones is well known for being a stellar actress, singer, and photographer. But did you know she is also a passionate advocate of women’s rights and empowerment?
One of the causes she is currently advocating for is the ‘Yaba Market March’ movement, which was started by Damilola Marcus. You may recall that Damilola along with a group of women, had organized and embarked on a peaceful market protest at Yaba market a few weeks ago. The rationale behind the protest was to stop women from being victims of marketplace groping, abuse and even physical assault.
The women marched peacefully, urging men at the market not to harass them, as they chanted their slogan, “stop touching us.” They were not deterred be the aggressiveness of the men present. The very next day, there were reports from women saying they had visited Yaba market and no one had touched them, as a direct result of the march.
Toni Tones heard about the movement via social media, and was deeply moved by their cause. Consequently, she sought to help them develop sustainable measures to ensure that women continue to remain safe while visiting the market.
To this end, she facilitated a meeting with activist, her Excellency, Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, to discuss ways in which the government could help support the noble cause.
Her Excellency, graciously hosted Toni Tones and the women who engaged in the market march at her home, where they discussed the market march agenda and the different ways the government could render support.
The meeting ended on a very positive note, with lots of impactful reforms deliberated on.
Osinbajo also came up with an additional slogan for the movement, as follows: “I’m shopping no touching.”
Photo Credit: Toni Tones
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