Lagos First Lady Joins WARIF March to Advocate for a Violence-Free Society

The cause of fighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) received a significant boost in visibility as the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, joined the annual WARIF No Tolerance March. The First Lady’s participation transformed the advocacy walk into a major public statement, highlighting the serious nature of the issue and placing it front and center in the state’s socio-political discourse. Her presence underscores the commitment of the state's leadership to creating a safer environment for all residents.

The WARIF (Women's Rights and Advanced Research Foundation) No Tolerance March is a flagship campaign designed specifically to raise awareness about the pervasive issues of sexual and gender-based violence. By walking alongside activists and survivors, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu aligned the Governor's office directly with the grassroots movement, lending institutional weight to the powerful call for a violence-free society. The march serves as a crucial platform to mobilize public opinion and demand stronger protective measures.

​Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has consistently championed social welfare and the protection of vulnerable groups throughout her tenure, making her participation a natural extension of her long-standing work. Her involvement signals to both perpetrators and victims that the issue of violence against women and children is being taken with the utmost seriousness by the state government. This visible leadership helps to break the silence and stigma often surrounding these delicate but critical matters.

​The objectives of the march go beyond simple awareness; they are focused on advocacy for systemic change, including improvements in judicial processes, increased support for survivors' shelters, and better public education on consent and respect. By joining the march, the First Lady helps to ensure that these demands translate into concrete legislative and policy actions, strengthening the social safety net for those most at risk in Lagos State.

The First Lady’s contribution to the WARIF event reinforces the moral and ethical imperative for a government to protect its citizens from violence. Her advocacy is a powerful message of solidarity and commitment, urging every resident, community leader, and institution to adopt a zero-tolerance stance on violence. This commitment is vital for fostering the kind of stable, secure, and inclusive society that the state strives to be.