The 7th Global WARIF No Tolerance March took place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in commemoration of the UN 16 Days of Activism.
This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” came alive through the powerful collective action of more than 8,000 participants across three continents, sending a strong message of solidarity and a renewed global commitment to ending violence against women and girls (VAWG).
This year marked a significant milestone for the global No Tolerance campaign, with marches held in 13 cities across Africa, Europe, and North America, including Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Accra, Nairobi, London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, Atlanta, Houston, and Washington, D.C.
Communities, leaders, advocates, families, and survivors marched with one voice to declare No Tolerance for gender-based violence. In Lagos, the march across the iconic Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge was flagged off by British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter, who remarked on “the power of us walking across that bridge, closing it down to traffic, really makes a difference.”
He was joined by the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo Olu, the First Lady of Ogun State, Bamidele Abiodun, government representatives, partner organisations, and a wide network of supporters.
In Abuja, the march was organised with the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Senate Committee on Women’s Affairs chaired by Hajiya Ireti Heebah Kingibe, UN Women, the Medicaid Foundation, and numerous CSOs.
The walk was flagged off by Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, CEO of the Medicaid Foundation, and Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Federal Minister of Women’s Affairs.
More than 5,000 participants marched toward the Old Parade Ground, joined by the International Youth Development Foundation and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities.
In Accra, Ghana, the WARIF No Tolerance March, held in partnership with the Springboard Road Show Foundation, founded by Comfort Ocran, brought together women’s groups and religious organisations as they walked through the Legon Botanical Gardens. Ms. Ocran stated that, “Today’s march reminds us that safety is a right.
We must build protective systems that restore safety, affirm survivors’ rights, and make justice real in their everyday lives. In Nairobi, Ms. Ohi convened a group of advocates to stand firmly against sexual violence. In London, Mr. Romarho Ibru, Sarien Ibru, and Bella Anenih led a dynamic group of young WARIF ambassadors. In Paris, Blessing Adesiyan hosted the march at Les Bulles De Paris, while in Houston, Sarah Adeyeye led participants through the Sugarland Memorial Park.
Founder of WARIF, Dr Kemi DaSilva Ibru, reflected on the global impact, “The ripple effects have been profound. Communities that once felt disconnected from the issue now recognise that gender-based violence is not one community’s problem, or even one continent’s, it is a global crisis that demands collective action.”
She added that the march has empowered survivors, encouraged difficult yet necessary conversations, and strengthened networks of global support.
Proceeds from the WARIF No Tolerance Marches directly fund essential post-incident services, including forensic medical care, psychosocial counselling, and social welfare support for survivors of rape and sexual violence.
WARIF expresses deep gratitude to its partners across all participating cities.
In Lagos, appreciation goes to Access Bank, Arami, ALARA, Chevron Corporation, House on the Rock, IFC, May & Baker, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Med Plus, Mom & I, Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX), NNPC, Reddington Hospital, SAPETRO, Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), Templars Law Firm, the United Nations, Unity Hill Church, and Womenovate. In Abuja, WARIF acknowledges the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, UN Women and the broad coalition of partner organisations.
Media partners, including Beat FM, BellaNaija, Global Citizen, Lagos Talks, Leading Ladies, News Central Africa, Nigeria Info, Punch, The Guardian, NAN, ThisDay Style, Women International, Women Radio, and Wazobia, are appreciated for amplifying the message across borders.
The WARIF No Tolerance March continues to grow as a global movement calling for an end to gender-based violence.
WARIF urges individuals, communities, and organisations around the world to stand in solidarity, to raise awareness, support survivors, and champion a world free from violence against women and girls.
About WARIF Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2016 by Dr Kemi DaSilva Ibru, MD, MPH. Created in response to the high incidence of sexual violence, rape, and human trafficking affecting young girls and women in Nigeria, WARIF provides survivor-centred intervention services as well as education, prevention, and community outreach programmes aimed at reducing the prevalence of gender-based violence across Nigeria and beyond.
About Springboard Roadshow Foundation The Springboard Road Show Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people and communities across Ghana through transformational learning, mentorship, entrepreneurship support, and leadership development.
Over the past two decades, SRSF has reached milions of young Ghanaians through its national roadshows, flagship programmes, media platforms, and community initiatives, driving personal and national development. The Foundation’s work is rooted in the belief that empowered citizens create empowered nations.
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