Social media is without doubt a great platform today to lead campaigns pertaining issues affecting human existence. Few people have made use of the opportunity presented and Dorcas Fapson is one.
Her adaptation of Paulette Kelly’s 1992 poem “I Got Flowers Today’’ has earned her great applause on and off social media. Dorcas, in a bid to contribute to the fight against domestic violence, used Kelly’s poem in a short video clip, which depicted the life and death of a woman in an abusive relationship.
The level of depth and professionalism Fapson’s short firm portrayed was greatly applauded by Nigerians. The poem notes that the victim received flowers each time she was hurt or abused by her partner.
Lines from the poem read:
‘’I got flowers today.
It wasn’t our anniversary or any other special day.
Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.
It seemed like a nightmare.I couldn’t believe that it was real.
I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.
I know he must be sorry.
Because he sent me flowers today.’’
The poem ended tragically as the last bouquet of flowers the victim got was at her funeral.
“I got flowers today. Today was a very special day. It was the day of my funeral. Last night he finally killed me. He beat me to death.”
The fight against domestic violence
The world faces a huge challenge in fighting domestic violence, especially against women. A report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2018 noted that ‘’the home is the most likely place for a woman to be killed.’’ According to the UN report, an average of 137 women across the world are killed by a partner or family member every day. More than half of the 87,000 women killed in 2017 were reported to have died at the hands of those closest to them. Africa has the highest rate of women whose death resulted from domestic abuse at 3.1 victims per 100,000 females.
“Domestic homicides are the tragic end of a cycle of abuse and violence…. When a female loses her life, it is not without predictions- you see incidences of verbal and other forms of violence. The pattern is established long before the homicide.’’
Jean-Luc Lemahieu (Director of Policy Analysis and Public Information UNODC)
Dorcas Fapson’s contribution via the tool of social media is a boost to moves already in place to end domestic violence. Fapson is a voice to many women who suffer in silence and remain in life threatening relationships. The fast rising Nollywood actress popular for her role in MTV series, ‘Shuga’, is an example for Nigerian celebrities to emulate, as their popularity is a great advantage in campaigns geared towards making the world a better place for all to live.
“I Got Flowers Today’’ is a poem by Paulette Kelly that I read years ago. I decided to develop and adapt it for the screen as it’s such an important message that hits home. I know victims of abuse that choose to stay for several reasons. I’m not here to judge because I know it’s hard. I need you to know that NO reason is worth your life. Even if this touches one person, I’m happy.
Dorcas Fapson
Sources; Dorcas Fapson’s Instagram Handle: @ms_dsf
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United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Featured image source: Dorcas Fapson’s Instagram Handle @ms_dsf