Popular Nigerian beauty queen Benedicta Akpana has broken fresh grounds by producing a movie titled ‘High Hell’ which focuses on the protection of the girl child.
Speaking exclusively to iRise Africa Magazine, Akpana who is also an actress said, “Protecting the girl child is something I have been very passionate about. In our society, there’s a preference for the boy child while for the girl child does not have any root in her father’s house so she is just groomed for marriage. We’re campaigning to change this narrative”.
“The movie portrays this young girl who had dreams but her mum was in a second marriage and neglected the girl. Her mum was more interested in protecting her marriage and pleasing her new husband.”
“What we’re trying to say is that every child matters of course, but the emphasis is on the girl child because she is extremely vulnerable. If we can raise these girls well, they will achieve their full potentials. “
Bemoaning the fate of the girl child in some marriages, she said, “And then for single mothers who have a girl child and gets married again, some don’t care about the child anymore leaving her open to potential abuse. Some such mothers just want to ship her off to another man as a wife. These are ills which the movie addresses.”
Benedicta Akpana is also author of ‘The Jewel’, a collection of Nigerian proverbs as well as the founder of Blessed Royal Jewel Foundation, an NGO that supports girl child education in Nigeria.
Describing the movie, she said, “High Hell is a short film, very captivating and inspiring. We put a whole lot into it, passion, time and resources. It is really a movie to look out for because it challenges the status quo concerning the girl child.”
High Hell is premiering on International Women’s Day, March 8 at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
Watch the trailer here 👇🏿
Movies are a good way to convey a message as strong as the protection of the girl child. I hope this one will surpass current standards.
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