Women’s rights activist and Executive Director of Braveheart Initiative Ms. Priscilla Usiobaifo has been conferred with the award of Woman of Courage by the United States Mission Nigeria.
The award certificate, dated March 27, 2024 and signed by David J. Greene, Charge d’ Affairs, a.i stated that the award was conferred on Ms. Usiobaifo ‘’For her unwavering contribution to reforming laws and dismantling socio-cultural norms perpetuating gender based violence in Nigeria, where she stands as a beacon of progress in advocating for women’s rights.
An elated Priscillia Usiobaifo said at the event that she valued the award as a spur to do more for women, for girls, and for children in marginalized communities in Nigeria.
She said, “I am really excited and honored by the US mission Nigeria. I thank the Mission for spotlighting my work in such a global platform. As you all know, young women, especially those who work in rural communities, can go unrecognized because of the locality of the work that we do, but here I am today as a testament that no matter where you are and where you do your work, your work speaks very loudly.
“I have been recognized today, but I hope that this recognition will be a catalyst for other young women working in grass-roots communities across Africa. I want to see this as a spur to do more women, for girls, and for children in marginalized communities in Nigeria.
“I hope that an award like this will also inspire the government to become more accountable to their citizens and promote justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria.”
BraveHeart Initiative for Youth & Women (BHI) stands as a testament to Ms. Usiobaifo’s commitment. Founded in April 2007 and headquartered in Igarra, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, BHI is a youth-led, feminist non-governmental organization devoted to promoting sexual and reproductive health among young people and advancing women’s rights. Registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development, BHI’s overarching goal is to enhance awareness of sexual and reproductive rights to foster gender equality and cultivate a more inclusive society.
Driven by a vision of a gender-equal society where girls and women thrive, BraveHeart Initiative has made significant strides in strengthening the criminal justice system in Edo State. Its efforts have resulted in a notable increase in the prosecution of cases involving sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The organization firmly believes that securing convictions of sex offenders is not only a deterrent but also a vital aspect of addressing sexual assault, given the alarming rates of repeat offences among such offenders.
As of February 2023, BraveHeart Initiative had successfully concluded twenty-five SGBV cases in court, achieving victory in twenty-two of them. Disturbingly, the majority of victims—twenty-one out of twenty-five—were minors, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions in vulnerable communities. Operating primarily in rural areas within the Edo-North Senatorial Zone, BraveHeart Initiative remains steadfast in its mission to combat gender-based violence and foster a more just and equitable society.
