Stand to End Rape/STER

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

For 25 years, the world has been speaking up, pushing forward, and demanding change.
But awareness is only the beginning.

Because behind every statistic is a person.
A story.
A voice that deserves to be heard and believed.

This month, we are reminded that ending sexual violence requires more than awareness.
It requires action, accountability, and collective responsibility.

At STER, we continue to stand with survivors.
To challenge harmful norms.
To push for systems that protect, not fail.

Together, we act.
Together, we change.

Voices Without Borders: Youth Demanding Equal Justice for All

"A young woman seeking safety from violence.
A young person navigating unemployment despite their education.
A young activist raising their voice and being told to wait their turn."

At CSW70, our Executive Director, Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, opened with this reality and challenged it.

Joining Felipe Paullier (UN Youth Office), Stephanie Ester Sayo (Women Deliver), and Ada Jamile Gomes (TechGirls25), she reminded the room:

"Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they are already shaping the world today."

Oluwaseun didn’t speak about justice in theory; she spoke from lived experience. From surviving sexual violence to founding STER Initiative, she understands that the barriers survivors face are not just personal. They are systemic.

And systemic problems require bold solutions.

Her call was clear:
Justice must be accessible.
Institutions must be accountable.
And opportunities must reach those who have been left out for far too long.

"When young people lead with courage and solidarity, change does not remain an idea. It becomes a movement. And movements are what transform societies."

To every young person refusing to accept the status quo, keep pushing. You're already changing the world.

to our Implementation project supported by in Plateau State.
From advocacy to action. In Plateau State, we worked with communities, policymakers, and enforcement actors to bring the VAPP Act to life.
💼 Trainings.
🧠 Community awareness.
📃 Legal accountability.