The first ever music video was filmed inside the new Freetown Female Prison last week to mark 16 days of activism against violence against women. According to a press release, one of Sierra Leone’s leading female hip hop artists, Star Zee, partnered with civil society organisation, AdvocAid, "to record a song educating women about their legal rights".
According to the release from Advocaid, "The song specifically focuses on the rights of women who are affected by the criminal justice system". The musical also addresses the issue of women in prison "often overlooked or seen by society as 'bad' although most women enter the criminal justice system because they suffer from human rights abuses".
The song, Nar Yu Right, which means IT IS YOUR RIGHT, raises highlights the fact that there are many women behind bars because of domestic violence, and calls for help for women facing abuse. It also talks about gender-specific rights of women in prison and the new UN Bangkok Rules which provides standards for women in prison and women affected by the criminal justice system.
The musician performed a concert for the inmates and addressed the plight of many women in prison with their children.
“I do not see them as prisoners but as sisters”, she said.
AdvocAid Programme Officer, Sonia Osho-Williams said music was a powerful way to educate and raise awareness and hoped the song and music video would change "the perception of women in prison and empowers more women about their legal rights and where to seek help".
The video, by Concept Multimedia, was launched in Sierra Leone on International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2013 and will be screened on TV.
The song has also been released internationally and sold on iTunes and Amazon to raise funds to support AdvocAid’s work in Sierra Leone, according to the release.
(C) Politico 12/12/13
