Dr. Anita Kemi DaSilva-Ibru has dedicated her life to advancing women’s health and championing the fight against gender-based violence. As an accomplished obstetrician-gynecologist and public health expert, she has leveraged her extensive medical expertise and personal passion for justice to create transformative change in Nigeria and beyond. Her pioneering work through the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) addresses not only the immediate consequences of gender-based violence but also its root causes, impacting thousands of women and girls each year.
With over two decades of experience, Dr. DaSilva-Ibru’s professional journey began at the University of Lagos, where she earned her medical degree. She further honed her skills with postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynecology at Howard University, Washington D.C., followed by a Master’s degree from the prestigious Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. Her career has been marked by continuous learning, including courses in specialized medical fields and business leadership training at Lagos Business School, underscoring her multifaceted approach to healthcare and advocacy.
Dr. DaSilva-Ibru founded WARIF in response to the alarming rates of sexual violence in Nigeria. Her organization employs a holistic and survivor-centered model that not only offers medical, social, and psychological support to victims but also works to prevent future violence through community outreach and education. WARIF’s groundbreaking programs have empowered countless survivors while pushing for systemic change in how gender-based violence is addressed in Nigeria.
Dr. DaSilva-Ibru has gained international recognition for her thought leadership on the global stage. Her TED Talk on the “shadow pandemic” of gender-based violence has sparked crucial conversations worldwide, highlighting the intersection of health, human rights, and social justice. Her academic pursuits, including her current PhD research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, reflect her deep commitment to finding sustainable solutions to these complex issues.
Dr. DaSilva-Ibru’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Women” by WIMBIZ in 2017 and one of Leading Ladies Africa’s “100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria” in 2018. She was also recognized as one of CNN’s COVID Heroes in 2020, further solidifying her status as a key figure in global health and women’s rights advocacy.
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Her professional affiliations are as impressive as her accolades. Dr. DaSilva-Ibru is a member of several prestigious medical and public health organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, and the American Public Health Association. Her dedication to leadership is evident through her membership in the Institute of Directors, Nigeria, reflecting her drive to influence both medical practice and policy on a national and global scale.
Through her work, Dr. DaSilva-Ibru envisions a world where all women and girls can live free from violence and fear. Her legacy, both as a medical professional and as a human rights advocate, continues to inspire a generation of women to stand up for themselves and each other, fighting for a future where justice, health, and equality are not just ideals, but realities.
