The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), a prominent non-profit organization combating gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, hosted its fifth annual advocacy WARIF No Tolerance March, against Gender-based Violence worldwide, as part of its annual campaign to commemorate the United Nations (UN) 16 Days of Activism.
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The campaign has had a growing reach and impact across the world and this year was held on Saturday, December 2, in 10 cities on 3 continents — Lagos, Abuja, Abeokuta, Accra, London, Liverpool, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, and Frankfurt. Supporters and participants gathered in great numbers at various locations in these designated cities, united against gender-based violence.
In Lagos, the location of the March was the Lekki/lkoyi link bridge and commenced with an address from the United States chargé d’affaires, Mr. David Greene. He highlighted that: “For far too long, impunity, silence, and stigma have allowed violence against women to escalate in Nigeria, as one in every four women and girls experience sexual assault before the age of 18.
“As we commemorate these 16 days of activism to end such abuses, we must once again remind ourselves, that no woman or girl child should live in fear of violence, and every girl should grow up knowing she is safe, so that she can have the best start in life”.
The Governor of Lagos State, represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, noted: “our collective responsibility to change the statistics of rape and sexual violence into stories of resilience and change, challenge the stat to quo and pave the way for a future where every girl and woman can live in a society free of rape and other forms of gender-based violence”.
Speaking on the importance of the March, the founder — WARIF; Dr. Kemi Dasilva Ibru, said: “This year the March was held in 10 cities across 3 continents as we recognize the pervasive impact of gender-based violence globally. It is important to raise awareness not only in our various communities in silos but as one collective force across the world. This is what we are attempting to do. We look forward to including even more cities in the years to come.”
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Joined by the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the Deputy British High Commissioner Mr. Jonny Baxter, and the United States Consul General Mr. Will Steven for Lagos were over 2,000 men, women, and children taking a stance against gender- based violence in the state and beyond states and country lines.
The March received sponsorship from Access Bank, ACT Foundation, Angel Hospitality, ALARA, Cadbury, Chevron Corporation, House on the Rock, May & Baker, Marcelle Ruth Cancer Foundation, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Medplus, Nigerian Breweries, Mom & I, Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX), NNPC, Reddington Hospital, SAPETRO, Sterling Bank, Terra Academy For The Arts (TAFTA), Templars Law firm, US Consulate, United Africa Company (U.A.C), United Nations and Unity Hill Church. Media Partners included Arise TV, Beat FM, Bellanaija, Coolfm, Global Citizen, Nigeria Info, Prime Business, Red Media, The Guardian, ThisDayStyle, and WAZOBIA.
Gender-based Violence is a global human rights violation, and the “No Tolerance” March stands as a movement to denounce violence against women and girls in all communities across the world.
