Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed convened Private Screening of the Milkmaid Movie in partnership with Spotlight Initiative at UNICEF Headquarters in NYC

NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Just weeks after screening at the World Bank, UNICEF hosted the second private screening of "The Milkmaid" on November 26, 2019, the second day of the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence.

The screening was supported by Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, represented by Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP's Regional Bureau for Africa. Over 80 influential attendees in entertainment, media, foundations, government and global policy were present, including entrepreneur and philanthropist Foloronso Alakija, Ms. Nahla Valji, the Secretary General's Adviser on Gender Equality permanent representative Cheikh Niang from the Mission of Senegal to the UN, Aissata Camara the NYC Mayor's Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Strategic Partnerships, award winning singer Loren Allred, Innocent Chukwuma the Ford Foundation representative for West Africa, the US representative for Tony Elumelu Ms. Sola Yomi-Ajayi, to name a few.

The event was supported by the Spotlight Initiative, a partnership between the EU and UN focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. Opening remarks were made by Ms. Eziakonwa, who noted the importance and relevance of films. Following her remarks, Executive Producer Dr. Seun Sowemimo welcomed guests, sharing his reasons for joining forces on the film with long time friend, Director Mr. Desmond Ovbiagele. A question and answer session with Dr. Sowemimo and Mr. Ovbiagele, moderated by Liz Grossman of Baobab Consulting, followed the screening of the Director's cut.

During a red carpet interview, Managing Director of the Rose of Sharon Foundation Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija,"[The Milkmaid] took me off my seat. There were so many impactful areas of the movie that shook me right to my bones." Lauren Rumble, UNICEF's Principal Gender Advisor said, "I felt angry and upset that so many girls are victims of violence all over the world , but I know there are so many people standing up against this injustice. "

"The Milkmaid" aims to highlight the United Nations' Sustainable Development Agenda through six key Sustainable Development Goals, with a defined focus on Goal 5, 'Gender Equality'. According to Mr Ovbiagele, " the Milkmaid is an artistic representation of an issue we rarely see humanized in popular culture. We hope the movie will not only do well in the entertainment industry and change the public's understanding of gender based violence and insurgency, but serve as an advocacy tool for those actually drafting policies." The film reflects on the need for an integrated and inclusive approach to achieve all the goals, in order to reduce conflict and other effects of violent extremism, especially as it pertains to women and gender equality.

The trailer, along with ways to support the film, can be viewed on "The Milkmaid" Website. Follow "The Milkmaid" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates on future screenings at the United Nations, international film festivals, and other high-level events.

About "The Milkmaid":
This movie follows the journey of one sister who is desperate to find the other, willing to risk it all at the hand of the very insurgents responsible for their traumatic turn of events.

About the Filmmaker:
From the director who brought you Render to Caesar (Best Screenplay at the Nollywood movie awards and Best of Nollywood awards, Official Selection for main competition at FESPACO 2015), Desmond Ovbiagele makes his return to the big screen with "The Milkmaid", the second feature film he has written, produced, and directed.

SOURCE Milkmaid Movie