PBA Reporter
As the global community begins 16 days of activism campaign against gender-based violence, Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), in partnership with the United Nations and the United States Consulate in Nigeria, is organising a series of activities to raise awareness on issues affecting the rights of women.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10th December, the Human Rights Day. This year’s theme is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls.”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelWARIF, a non-profit organisation established to raise awareness and address the prevalence of rape, sexual violence, and trafficking of young girls and women in communities across Nigeria, has activities lined up for the 2022 Activism global event which includes the ‘2nd WARIF Dialogue’ coming up on Thursday, 1st of December, and the 4th ‘No Tolerance March’ that will hold on Saturday, 3rd of December, 2022.
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.
A statement from the organizers says 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 2nd WARIF Dialogue, themed: “Women’s Rights = Human Rights: Are We There Yet?” raises an apt and topical question given the increasing awareness of reported indicators such as gender gap indices remaining stagnant in many countries across the world and the cold reality that it will take another 136 years to close the gender gap.
The lineup of speakers at the 2nd WARIF Dialogue includes:
- Matthias Schmale, UN Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator
- Mr Lansana Wonneh Deputy Representative, Nigeria Country Office, UN Women.
- Adesuwa Onyenokwe Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Today’s Woman
- Ibukun Awosika Founder and CEO, The Chair Centre Group.
- Katie Koestner Executive Director, Take Back the Night.
- Ugochi Daniels Deputy Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM).
- Ulla Mueller Resident Representative, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
To join the insightful conversation, prospective participants are to register at: bit.ly/The2ndWARIFDialogue
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 sensitize the entire population to kick against this menace that affects us as a society.Every year since its inception in 2019, thousands of people in Nigeria and around the world including celebrities, influencers, men, women, the young, and the old have come out to support WARIF’s No Tolerance March.
Speaking on the reason for the march, the founder of WARIF, Dr. Kemi DaSilva Ibru said the quest to stop sexual and gender-based violence ought to be a collective one.
“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,” Ibru stated.
The organisers further indicated that WARIF’s partnership with organisations such as the United Nations in Nigeria, and the US Consulate, among others, is 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.
Registrations have begun and all are invited to join the WARIF ‘No Tolerance March’ by using the link: bit.ly/NoToleranceMarch
It added that proceeds from the march will benefit survivors of rape and sexual violence who visit the WARIF Rape Crises Centre. The centre provides immediate medical care, psychosocial counselling, legal aid, access to shelters and vocational skills training to these survivors free of charge.
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