Group Launches ‘No Tolerance’ Campaign in Nigeria

Group Launches ‘No Tolerance’ Campaign in Nigeria

Oluchi Chibuzor

In commemoration of the 2019 International Women Day (IWD) as well as part of efforts to enforce women’s rights, the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) has launch the ‘No Tolerance’ campaign in Nigeria.

The initiative is to take a strong stand against rape and sexual violence in the country.

Speaking recently in Lagos, during the gong ringing ceremony at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)to mark the IWD programme, the Founder, WARIFI, Dr. Kemi DaSilva, noted that the organisation marked the ‘No Tolerance’ campaign occasion by bringing a strong diverse group of impactful individuals.

She noted that event provided the opportunity for the individuals present to lend their voices and showcase the importance of a collective action in countering violence against women in Nigeria.

She explained that individuals joined WARIF to take a stand against the issue of violence against women, stating that it would no longer be tolerated in families, work places and communities.

DaSilva, revealed how the prevalence and consequences of violence against women to both the woman and her society, while highlighting the adverse psycho-social impact that survivors endure.

According to her, “The campaign is in response to the high incidence of sexual assault, rape and human trafficking occurring among young girls and women across Nigeria.

“This is achieved through the implementation of immediate and preventive target –oriented interventions, that all have the hallmark of the foundation initiatives of being impactful, measurable and sustainable.

“In 2017 the estimated cost of violence against women in Nigeria based on two per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that year was N2.294 billion. Violence against women is an epidemic, a disease that continues to spread and is here to stay with horrifying human, social and economic intergenerational consequences that we cannot afford.

“However, WARIF through its initiatives – the WARIF Educational School programme, WARIF Know Your Community, WARIF Gatekeepers Initiative and WARIF through the Arts along with the treatment of survivors with free services offered at the WARIF rape crisis centre, continues to make a strong positive impact in the fight to address violence against women.

“The NO Tolerance Campaign will serve to reach a broader range of men and women; keeping the spotlight on the issues that surround gender based violence.”

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