African Queens keep earning these global accolades and we couldn’t be prouder.
Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, founder of Stand to End Rape – S.T.E.R Initiative was on Wednesday, named Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2019 for her contributions to ensuring gender equality and fighting sexual and gender based violence.
The very excited ‘Seun made the announcement via her Twitter page:
With more than 500 people from across the commonwealth that were nominated for the award, Ayodeji was selected from 16 finalists and four regional winners.
Here’s an excerpt from her acceptance speech:
This award reminds me that when young people don’t look away in the face of injustice, and say ‘no’ to cultural biases, we have the capacity to create change because we are magic.
Winning this award encourages me to keep working hard to build a safe community for women, girls and men in Nigeria and that my story is valid.
To my team and I, the award is a reminder that our work is seen, felt and should not stop now.
Our organisation provides medical, legal, mental health and psychosocial support, and empowerment services – depending on the requirement. In certain instances, we provide shelter access and financial support to survivors.
Having experienced sexual violence myself, I understand the cultural barrier of speaking up, and the lapses or lack of services available.
This award is a reaffirmation that elimination of sexual violence in Nigeria and other Commonwealth Countries is important and a core agenda of the Commonwealth Secretariat as we work towards achieving a ‘Connected Commonwealth’.
