Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) is a nonprofit organization established in 2016 to address violence against women and girls in Nigeria. WARIF envisions a society free from sexual violence and works to achieve this through a comprehensive model combining medical care, psychosocial support, education, community outreach, and preventive strategies. Through its initiatives, WARIF has provided critical services to more than 6,600 survivors at its Rape Crisis Centre and reached thousands more through community-based programs.
In Nigeria, violence against women and girls remains a pervasive challenge. Harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage remain common, especially in underserved communities. These circumstances have devastating consequences, including trauma, unwanted pregnancies, HIV infections, and school dropouts—creating long-term barriers to girls’ education, empowerment, and safety.
With support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, WARIF will implement its Educational School Program (WESP), an initiative designed to educate and empower secondary school girls by preventing and responding to gender-based violence. Through a four-module curriculum, girls will learn about body autonomy, how to identify abuse, break the silence around sexual violence, and take safe action to report incidents. This knowledge will be passed on to peers through a peer-education model, multiplying the project’s reach.
In total, the project will directly train 500 girls and indirectly impact 5,000 peers through student-led outreach. It will also engage 500 parents and 25 school administrators to build a supportive network around the girls. By equipping students, families, and school communities with accurate information and practical tools, WARIF aims to shift harmful norms, prevent abuse, and create a safer learning environment.
WARIF is committed to building a future where every girl in Nigeria is free to live, learn, and lead without fear of violence. Through WESP, the organization continues to champion girls’ rights, support survivors, and foster communities that uphold dignity, safety, and opportunity for all.
To learn more about WARIF, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
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