Participants of the Global Race against Femicide 2.
More than 200 advocates, human rights defenders, and community members gathered on Saturday, 29th of November 2025, for the second edition of the Race Against Femicide, convening at Agege Stadium in Lagos and Millennium Park in Abuja to demand justice for victims of femicide in Nigeria.
Abuja Run For Her participants.Â
Held during the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the event brought together runners, survivors’ families, activists, disability inclusion groups, and concerned citizens for a symbolic 5km run to honor lives lost to femicide.
Runners Gathering for the Race
Participants ran through the communities surrounding Agege Stadium, engaging residents and raising public awareness about the alarming rise of femicide in Nigeria. Advocates urged community members to stop the abuse of women and join efforts to end gender-based violence.
Calls for Accountability and Prevention
Returning to the stadium, human rights advocates delivered powerful speeches on the prevalence of femicide and the urgent need for prevention.
Ololade Ajayi, Founder of DOHS Cares Foundation, spoke on the red flags that often precede femicide and emphasized the role of early intervention. Barrister Abiodun Kolawole, popularly known as Iya Gani, and Prince Savior, both leading human rights activists, urged women to prioritize their safety while calling out law enforcement agencies that fail to protect victims. They stressed the need for systemic accountability and improved police response to gender-based crimes.
BARRISTER ABIODUN KOLAWOLE
Tears and Testimonies from Victims’ Families
In one of the most emotional moments of the event, family members of femicide victims—including the sister of Debora Okwori and the sisters of Bamise Ayanwola—addressed the crowd. They spoke about their loved ones’ lives, the trauma of their deaths, and their ongoing pain due to the lack of support from both the government and civil society.
Their testimonies moved participants to tears and reinforced the urgent demand for justice and institutional reform.
BAMISE AYANWOLA’S SISTER ADDRESSING THE CROWD
Collective Action for Justice
Participants collectively pledged their commitment to fight against femicide and signed a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, calling for Victor Ogbuja to be declared wanted for the murder of Ochanya Ogbanje.
To symbolize the cries of victims rising to demand justice, Ololade Ajayi led a touching balloon release ceremony.
She later addressed media representatives present at the event, urging the government to take immediate action by establishing more trauma centers, safe spaces for survivors, and by passing dedicated legislation on femicide. She cited the DOHS draft bill already submitted before the National Assembly as a critical step toward reform.
Inclusion of Disability Communities.
Running with a Visually impaired Participant.
In a strong show of inclusivity, the event featured the active participation of disability communities, who added their voices to the call for justice, equality, and the protection of vulnerable women.
A Commitment Renewed
Race Against Femicide’s Partners, which includes many Women Rights and Tech Organizations such as Herbode, SirenCo, TSMHouse Agency, Upyou Conferences, KNCV Nigeria, Baddies in Development and Naija Feminist Media, pledged their renewed commitment to continue fighting for Justice, Accountability and the protection of women across Nigeria while Participants received their medals and Certificates.Â
Race Against Femicide continues to amplify the voices of survivors, families, and communities, pushing Nigeria one step closer to recognizing femicide as a distinct crime and addressing it with the urgency it deserves.
