By Grace Alegba
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and her Ogun counterpart, Bamidele Abiodun have led a march against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The two first ladies joined the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) to walk across the Lekki-Ikoyi link-bridge.
It was part of the annual “No Tolerance March” organised by WARIF as part of activities to mark the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.
The initiative aims to rally Nigerians and global citizens to demand safety, justice and dignity for women and girls.
The 16 Days of Activism, holds annually from November 25 to December 10 to serve as a global call to action.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme began with an early morning convergence of important stakeholders including the British High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter at Access Bank on Admiralty Way, Lekki.
Also in attendance were Mr Christian Mulamula, Director International Finance Corporation (World Bank), and Managing Director, Chevron, Mr Jim Swartz.
Addressing stakeholders, Sanwo-Olu explained the Lagos state’s stance on zero tolerance for GBV, while calling for an end to culture of silence.
The British High Commissioner encouraged the participants who cut across all ages, to walk with determination assuring them that the journey was not too long.
“In some ways, this is my favourite day of the year in Lagos,” he said.
He said that the advocacy to enlighten the public to speak out was important.
“The power of us walking across that bridge, closing it down to traffic, really makes a difference.
“The other amazing thing is how this movement has spread around the world as well,” he said.
Baxter said that the march was going on in other major Nigerian cities and extended internationally to the United Kingdom and United States of America.
The Chevron boss, Swartz, expressed delight to be part of the movement against GBV while explaining his organisation’s goals for its prevention.
Mulamula said that the menace is unacceptable anywhere and suggested a wholistic confrontation of the violence not only online but in every space where women face harm.
He called for measurable action beyond awareness to expand women’s economic opportunity and support women as leaders without any gender-based violence.
“We are not doing this alone. We are scaling and we are walking together. This walk is happening in the world,” he said.
The founder of WARIF, Dr Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, said that GBV had continuously affected communities in Nigeria, leaving many women and girls vulnerable and marginalised.
She said that over half of 220 million Nigerian population were currently enduring various daily acts of violence.
According to her, one in four girls before the age of 18 will encounter one sexual or physical violence.
DaSilva-Ibru, who is a practising obstetrician and gynaecologist, explained successes recorded globally and how the foundation was expanding its frontiers to benefit more women and girls.
She also explained how the foundation was overcoming challenges through collaboration with traditional institutions and other stakeholders.
“This year is actually our 7th annual walk. We are marching across 15 cities this year.
“In each city, we call on communities, men, women and children to come out and stand with WARIF against all forms of violence, whether it is rape, sexual violence, child abuse or sex trafficking.
“The ripple effect of WARIF’s marches have been profound in every community,” she said.
She said that community engagements had helped the foundation to fix problems, adding that GBV cuts across all countries and continents.
She said that the advocacy gave a collective voice to stand together against the causes, helped survivors speak out and ensured that their rights were preserved and their safety assured.
Popular online health influencer, Dr Chinonso Egemba, also known as “Aproko Doctor” took participants through aerobic sessions before commencement of the walk across the bridge amidst dance and music to finish line. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
