Lagos: The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and her Ogun counterpart, Bamidele Abiodun, have led a significant march against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The two first ladies joined forces with the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) to walk across the Lekki-Ikoyi link-bridge as part of the annual ‘No Tolerance March,’ organized by WARIF. This event is a key component of the activities marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative aims to rally Nigerians and global citizens to demand safety, justice, and dignity for women and girls. The 16 Days of Activism takes place annually from November 25 to December 10, serving as a global call to action. The programme commenced with an early morning gathering of significant stakeholders, including the British High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, at Access Bank on Admiralty Way, Lekki. Other notable attendees were Mr Christian Mulamula, Director of International Finance Corporation (World Bank), and Managing Director of Chevron, Mr Jim Swartz.
During the event, Sanwo-Olu emphasized Lagos State’s zero tolerance for GBV and advocated for an end to the culture of silence. The British High Commissioner encouraged participants of all ages to walk with determination, noting the importance of public advocacy in encouraging people to speak out. Baxter highlighted the global spread of the movement, noting that similar marches were taking place in other major Nigerian cities and internationally in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Chevron’s Swartz expressed pleasure in joining the movement against GBV and outlined his organization’s goals for its prevention. Mulamula condemned the menace of GBV as unacceptable and called for comprehensive actions beyond awareness to expand women’s economic opportunities and support women as leaders without any gender-based violence. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts in tackling the issue globally.
Dr Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, founder of WARIF, highlighted the continuous impact of GBV on communities in Nigeria, with over half of the 220 million Nigerian population currently enduring various daily acts of violence. She noted that one in four girls before the age of 18 would encounter some form of sexual or physical violence. DaSilva-Ibru shared the foundation’s successes in expanding its support for women and girls and overcoming challenges through collaboration with traditional institutions and other stakeholders.
She emphasized the significance of the annual walk, now in its 7th year, which spans 15 cities and calls on communities, men, women, and children to stand against all forms of violence, including rape, sexual violence, child abuse, and sex trafficking. The advocacy has had a profound ripple effect in every community, fostering collective action against GBV and ensuring survivors’ rights and safety are prioritized.