GBV: WARIF Raises Awareness On Women’s Rights As 16 Days Activism Begins Today

As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) kicks off today, November 25, the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) has joined the international community in the global campaign over the next 16 days

The 16 Days of Activism kicks off on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year’s theme is UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls.

Events and activities lined up include the 2nd WARIF Dialogue on Thursday, December 1 and the 4th No Tolerance March on Saturday, December 3.

The WARIF Dialogue is an annual engagement that brings together thought leaders and leading advocates with interests in the impact of gender and women’s rights and empowerment space to discuss and highlight emerging issues of women’s rights and the adverse impact of inequality as seen in our society today. The aim of the dialogue is to advance the gender equality agenda and the rights of women and girls through our discussions and provide a foundation for a future where all women can live in a society free of violence, discrimination, and bias.

The second WARIF Dialogue is themed – Women’s Rights = Human Rights: Are We There Yet? The lineup of speakers include: Matthias Schmale, UN Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator; Mr Lansana Wonneh, Deputy Representative Nigeria Country Office, UN Women, Ms. Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Today’s Woman, Dr. Ibukun Awosika, Founder and CEO, The Chair Centre Group, Ms. Katie Koestner, Executive Director, Take Back the Night; Ms. Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Ms. Ulla Mueller, Resident Representative, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The WARIF No Tolerance March aims to raise awareness of the prevalence of rape, and sexual and gender-based violence in our communities and advocate for a society free of this menace.

According to UN reports, about 10,000 women and girls are affected by all forms of gender-based violence daily in Nigeria. This calls for urgent action and the NTM sensitizes the entire population to kick against this menace that affects us as a society.

Speaking on the reason for the march, the founder of WARIF, Dr Kemi DaSilva Ibru, said: “At WARIF, we believe that no single individual, organization, foundation, or government can stop the epidemic of sexual violence; but by responding to the responsibility of tackling the problem as a collective, we each bring together our unique piece of the solution. We believe that participation in these collaborative efforts is critical in making our voices heard and bringing an end to sexual violence in our society.”

This year, WARIF has partnered with organizations such as the United Nations in Nigeria, and the US Consulate, amongst others to ensure that more people can join voices to say, ‘No Tolerance to Rape and Sexual Violence’. The march would hold in the following cities – Lagos, Abuja, London, Frankfurt, New York, and Cape Town.