On Monday, June 1, 2026, as part of the project coordinated by IFRA (French Institute for Research in Africa) with the support the Institut français as part of the project “Debate of Ideas and Night of Ideas”, whose 2026 theme is “Opening the Way”, the Alliance Française de Port Harcourt organized a screening and discussion of the documentary Speak Up for Freedom, in partnership with Art in the Garden City.
This event was part of the programme’s first angle, “The Voices of Stigma: A Stage to Testify and Act”, and addressed the central question: How can survivors recover from the trauma of sexual trafficking in Nigeria?
Directed by Clément Sibony, the documentary follows the stories of six Nigerian women in France who managed to escape sexual exploitation. Through theatre, they reclaim their voices, stage a fictional trial, and transform their experiences into an act of resistance, memory, and healing.
The screening took place in the presence of Dr. Élodie Apard, a researcher whose work focuses on the trafficking of Nigerian women between Nigeria and France, and Flora Enifo, founding member and community manager of MIST – Mission for Intervention and Awareness against Trafficking. Their contributions helped introduce the theatre project behind the film, shed light on the mechanisms of trafficking between Nigeria and Europe, and highlight the importance of dialogue between research, civil society, and institutional actors.
The event brought together around 80 participants, mainly students from universities in Port Harcourt, including UNIPORT, RSU, and IAUE, from various departments such as journalism, foreign languages, arts, and law. Students from the Alliance Française, members of the general public, as well as representatives from organizations and institutions involved in these issues were also present, including NAPTIP — National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NHRC — National Human Rights Commission, IOM — International Organization for Migration, and FIDA — International Federation of Women Lawyers.
After the screening, a question-and-answer session allowed the audience to ask questions, share reflections, and discuss issues related to prevention, awareness-raising, and support for victims.
The event concluded with a cocktail, which encouraged more informal exchanges between the speakers, students, partners, and institutional representatives.
