WARIF advocates end to rape, sexual violence with 3km walk

A non-governmental organisation, Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), in collaboration with the United States Consulate General, Lagos, on Saturday, called for an end to rape, sexual violence and trafficking of women through a three-kilometre walk along the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge, to create awareness against the menace in Nigeria.

The 4th WARIF march tagged: ‘No Tolerance March’, was held simultaneously across eight cities: Lagos, Abuja, London, Frankfurt, New York, Houston, Dallas and Cape Town, in commemoration of the United Nations (UN) 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Founder, WARIF, Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, said the campaign is a yearly march supported by the UN to put an end to sexual and gender violence in the world.

She noted that survivors of rape and sexual violence are offered free forensic medical examinations and treatment, as well as counselling services and welfare assistance, with shelter, legal aid and vocational skills acquisition at the WARIF Rape Crisis Centre.

DaSilva-Ibru said: “Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a human rights violation with detrimental impacts on victims, survivors, families, communities, and societies. Women living with disabilities and those with or at risk of HIV/AIDS are disproportionately more at risk of SGBV.

“SGBV encompasses sexual violence, physical violence, emotional and psychological violence, early marriage, femicide, trafficking, female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual harassment and rape.

“In Nigeria, 33 per cent of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 have experienced physical and or sexual abuse in their lifetime, while harmful practices, such as child marriage, are prevalent, with 43 per cent of girls married before the age of 18, while 20 per cent of women, aged 15 and 49, have undergone FGM.”

She charged non-governmental organisations and government, at all levels, to address and end the prevalence of violence against women.

The First Lady, Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, commended the foundation for the laudable initiative, stressing that there should be no tolerance to violence against women and girls in all communities.

She urged everyone to speak out when they see something and report to necessary authority for action to be taken.

First female senator in Edo State, Daisy Danjuma, noted that WARIF has helped the society in tackling rape and violence against women.

She charged the media to improve on advocacy, creating awareness on rape, sexual violence and its consequences.

She added: “We have a lot of rape, sexual violence and gender-based violence. We are trying to create awareness by letting everybody know that it’s time to stop violence against women, and we have to be very vocal and not keep quiet about this issue. And today is to remind everybody that we are on course.”

Also, Chairman, AW Network, Adebola Williams, said beyond the walk, actions should be taken, urging the public not to victimise survivors but keep track on statistics.