Violence against women and girls remains one of the most common human rights violations globally, affecting millions every year. From domestic abuse to harmful traditional practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), gender-based violence damages women’s rights and limits their potential. In honor of the #InternationalDayForTheEliminationOfViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls, we spotlight seven women who have not only taken bold steps to challenge and dismantle these injustices in this harsh reality but are leading the fight to end violence against women and girls.
Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru
Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru is the founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), a Nigerian organization that tackles sexual and gender-based violence. WARIF provides critical services, including medical care, counseling, and legal aid, to survivors of violence. In the fight to protect women and girls, she is also actively involved in preventative education through school programs and community outreach. Under her leadership, WARIF has become a beacon of hope for thousands of survivors across Nigeria. In Nigeria today, over 30% of Nigerian women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence, making organizations like WARIF crucial in addressing this crisis.
Violet Ikong
She is a journalist and the founder of Feminine Voices. Her journalism focuses on conflict and forced migration, with a special interest in how violence impacts women and girls in war-torn regions. Her work highlights the untold stories of survivors and the structural inequalities that sustain violence. Through her investigative reporting, Ikong amplifies the voices of displaced women, shedding light on sexual violence as a weapon of war.
Mena Diansiku
Mena Diansiku serves as the Ambassador to the Diaspora of Focus Congo. She is also an activist dedicated to addressing the endemic violence faced by women in the DRC, often referred to as the “rape capital of the world.” Her work includes advocacy for survivors and initiatives to hold perpetrators accountable. Through her partnerships with local organizations, she provides safe spaces and trauma care for women.
Leymah Gbowee
She is a Liberian peace activist and founder of Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa. She mobilized women to end Liberia’s 14-year brutal civil war. Her peace movement, the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, united Christian and Muslim women to demand peace through nonviolent protests. Her work earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. Gbowee continues to champion women’s rights globally, with her focus on ending violence and empowering survivors.
Musimbi Kanyoro
Musimbi Kanyoro is a social activist, human rights advocate, and feminist theologian who is known for her cross-cultural leadership across international organizations. She served as the President and CEO of Global Fund for Women from 2011-2019. Under her leadership, the organization funded grassroots efforts worldwide, focusing on marginalized communities and innovative solutions to protect women.
Nice Nailantei Leng’ete
She is a fearless anti-FGM activist, who has saved thousands of girls from undergoing Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya. Working with the Maasai community, she advocates for alternative rites of passage that honor cultural traditions without endangering girls’ health. Her approach combines education and community involvement, leading to long-term behavioral changes.
Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda
Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda is the ASG/Deputy Executive Director for UN Women and founder of the Rozaria Memorial Trust. She previously held the position of the African Union Goodwill Ambassador on Ending Child Marriage. Gumbonzvanda has spent decades fighting to protect young girls from early marriage, a practice that often exposes them to violence and limits their opportunities. Her work emphasizes education and economic empowerment as tools to fight child marriage.
Ending violence against women requires collective action, and these women have shown that change begins with determination and courage. While the statistics of violence against women and girls may seem daunting, their efforts remind us that change is possible!
