By PRISCA SAM-DURU

Violence against women and girls has suddenly become a normal but disturbing reality considering the rate at which even minors as young as 10 month old babies are increasingly becoming victims of sexual abuse by their close relatives. This is a desperate situation and as they say, desperate situation calls for desperate measures. In line with raising awareness and triggering action to end the global scourge of violence against women and girls, the Simi Johnson Organisation in collaboration with Mainevents and   Campaigns Limited, presents the critically acclaimed stage play – ‘ A past came calling’.

• Mrs Gbemi Shasore,Executive producer ‘A Past Came Calling’, CEO Mainevents and Campaigns Limited Joke Silva and Award winning actress ,Mr Solomon Mac- Auley

Starring Award-winning actress Joke Sylva, Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju, and others, A Past Came Calling was written by Uche MacAuley and Directed by Solomon Mac-Auley. The drama which will be staged at the Agip Hall of the Muson Centre, Lagos, on the 27th and 28th November 2015, will have two shows on each day.

Addressing the press last week at the Simi Johnson Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Executive Producer of the play, Gemi Shasore who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Mainevents and Campaigns Limited, said that the play comes as part of awareness and advocacy activities to commemorate this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women which is celebrated every November 25th.

According to her, “A Past Came Calling, has the central message that violence, including sexual violence, against women and girls, is a grave and pervasive violation of women’s human rights.” “The thought-provoking play delves into many topical issues relating to gender based violence which affects everyone across the globe. It aims to inform, correct and no doubt, entertain.”

“We’ve realised that this is a crisis that we all must stop and stamp out which is what I’m here for, using entertainment. I will continue to talk against domestic violence so as to draw attention to people who are in the position to help.” She said.

The Director of the play, Solomon MacAuley said “The play has a big question, Why? We want to entertain people but as a director, I want to provoke action against violence on women. We need to fight it like we all fought against Ebola in this country. The perpetrators need to stop this madness. This is a thought-provoking play filled with passion. So, if we want a change in this regard, we need to go beyond awareness, find a way to provoke people to action. If more people get involved, then we will have good result.”

Award-winning actress, Joke Sylva who said she was proud to be in A Past Came Calling said; “ There is a movement, an improvement on the series of awareness created. It is a case of trying to provoke people. There is power in a well written script which is why we are utilisng this medium to address the issue. Violence against women is an evil going on in the world. People are going through one form of emotional violence which is worse than physical violence and this must stop.

Managing Partner of the Mirabel Centre, Mrs Itoro Eze-Anaba while sharing some of the efforts made so far by the Centre, to clamp down on all forms of violence against women and girls, also narrated some heart touching stories involving victims of sexual violence especially young children. She maintained that ending violence against women is a war that must be fought by everyone.