Oluwaseun Ayodeji was born and raised in Nigeria. She received a master’s degree in International Relations at Swansea University, United Kingdom and a bachelor’s degree in Local Government and Development Studies at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. As the Executive Director of Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER), she is responsible for conducting advocacy and project implementation and ensuring survivors of gender-based violence receive medical, legal, and psycho-social services. Through her work, she is proud to have been selected as one of 200 Obama Young Leaders in Africa. As an advocate, she is proud to have broken the culture of silence on rape in Nigeria and establishing an NGO to provide support to victims.
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Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi is passionate about teaching men to respect women’s rights. Oluwaseun Ayodeji was inspired to become an advocate by her mother, Mrs. Adebukola Osowobi, because she strongly believes that no girl or woman should ever have to experience sexual violence. In her free time, Oluwaseun Ayodeji enjoys traveling, volunteering, cooking, and speaking with her team members.
The Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER)
In terms of simple identification, the Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER), are a youth-led Not-for-Profit Organization advocating against sexual violence, providing prevention mechanisms and supporting survivors with psychosocial services. They advocate for rape survivors who can’t speak about their ordeal due to stigmatization, by enlighten our community on the need to end rape and victim blaming. They use various platforms to educate people and also engage in interactive sessions via social media. They are working towards the day when rape is part of history, rather than a part of our everyday lives.
Mission and Vision Statements
The Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER) is guided by the following Mission statement:
“To end all forms of rape and to provide education and reverse thinking actions that contribute to rape, we shall provide healing and support for victims of rape. We shall also engage teens and youths in preventive and anti-rape programs. To ensure adequate punishment is meted against perpetrators and that victim blaming/stigmatisation is a thing of the past.”
The Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER) is guided by the following Vision Statement:
“To create a society where women, men and children are free from rape & sexual violence.”
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The Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER): Range of Programs and Services
Stand to End Rape (S.T.E.R) Initiative works to meet its mission through an array of programs and services focused on strengthening and empowering survivors of rape. The organization also places an emphasis on preventative programming targeting sexual violence and abuse.
- Sexual and Reproductive Rights
Everyone has the rights to accessible, affordable and adequate health care that takes into account their cultural needs. They have the rights to access health care without discrimination and they have the rights to health care that responds to their particular needs. They also major in a range of prevention and treatment services.
- Awareness Seminars
A major part of ending rape and sexual violence and abuse is building the capacity of citizens to prevent incidents from happening. The awareness seminars focus on engaging people on the roles they all play in prevention recognizing potential risk factors in the community and where to go if an incident occurs.
- Sexual Violence and Abuse Education
They provide a series of resources and educational materials to educate communities on rape prevention and sexual violence and abuse. Additionally, they partner with local, public and private institutions to better disseminate information in the community.
- Peer Mentoring
Survivors of rape often times feel stigmatized and may have trouble coping or addressing their experience. Through our rape survivors network, they provide a platform for peer engagement, so survivors know they are not alone. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and learn from others.
- Therapy
Realizing the sensitive nature of the experiences of survivors, they work with healthcare professionals to provide therapeutic services. Individuals can get continual counseling, support and treatment.
To know more about The Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER), you can contact them via contactus@standtoendrape.org
Sources:
Time
womendeliver
Stand To End Rape
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