As part of its programs for the 2024 #16DaysOfActivism, DOHS Cares Foundation spotlighted the victims of Femicide through a mini marathon geared towards awareness about Femicide in Nigeria.
The event which happened on the 30th of November 2024 at the National Stadium in Surulere Lagos, took participants in a 5km run from Bode Thomas Avenue in Surulere back to  National stadium before commencing a memorial for Femicide victims who had been killed in the past 5 years and lamenting the lack of Justice for the Victims.
At the event, Relatives of Femicide Victims spoke about the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder they experienced as an impact of Femicide on their families. Dami Ayanwole, the elder sister of Bamishe Ayanwole who was killed in February 2022 after she boarded a BRT Bus in Lagos, participated in the event, in memory of her late sister whose post humous birthday coincidentally fell on the same date as the Race.
In her words “My sister was a sweet soul, whose life was unnecessarily cut short. Our family has been made to go through this prolonged grieve as we are yet to get  Justice since 2022 despite the arrest of one of the major suspected perpetrators of the murder”.
PARTICIPANTS CONSOLING A FEMICIDE VICTIM’S SISTER
When she could not go on speaking after getting overwhelmed by emotions, participants at the race embraced her and promised to ensure Justice is delivered for Bamishe.
OLOLADE AJAYI, FOUNDER OF DOHS CARES FOUNDATION AT THE FEMICIDE AWARENESS MINI MARATHON
Speaking at the event, Founder of the DOHS Cares Foundation, Ololade Ajayi said that the sole aim of the Run is to raise the consciousness of people in communities on Femicide, Demand for Justice and honor the memory of Victims of Femicide in Nigeria and push for Legislation on the crime of femicide.
Several participants disclosed that their reason for participating on the run were because they were survivors of abuse and could have also been part of the statistics if not rescued in time.
Femicide is  often a result of cyclic violence perpetuated against women and girls before their death. In the first 10 months of 2024, the DOHS Cares Foundation Femicide Observatory displays a total of 108 verified cases of Femicide cases in Nigeria. (https://bit.ly/DOHSFemicideDashboard )
PARTICIPANTS DISPLAYING THEIR CERTIFICATES AS FEMICIDE AWARENESS CHAMPIONS
DOHS Cares Foundation intends to continue in its awareness campaign and advocacy for victims of Femicide and provide strategies for prevention of Femicide in Nigeria.
The event featured Feminist group “Naija Feminist Media” as partners against Femicide in Nigeria and Media Partners Lagos Traffic Radio and Sure FM, a sports and advocacy Radio station who assured the organization of their commitment to the prevention of Violence against Women and Pocari Sweat, an Ion supplement drink energizing the participants.
DOHS MEDALS PLACED AGAINST POCARIS SWEAT DRINK’S TABLE AT THE 5KM MINI MARATHON ON FEMICIDE AWARENESS
Femicide is  often a result of cyclic violence perpetuated against women and girls before their death. In the first 10 months of 2024, the DOHS Cares Foundation Femicide Observatory displays a total of 108 verified cases of Femicide cases in Nigeria (https://bit.ly/DOHSFemicideDashboard )
Participants, especially the first ten winners of the race who earned a gold medal and certificates, pledged to keep creating awareness about Femicide in Nigeria till DOHS designates another set of Winners and even beyond.
DOHS CARES FOUNDATION FEMICIDE AWARENESS RACE MINI MARATHON PARTICIPANTS
FEMICIDE AWARENESS RACE WINNER “COMRADE MAN BUKKY”
The Global Race against Femicide is set to be an annual event in different cities all over the world with participants who are ready to end the scourge of Femicide in their various cities.
