Kemi DaSilva Ibru

Kemi DaSilva-Ibru
Born	Anita Kemi DaSilva (1969-06-21) 21 June 1969 (age 56)
Alma mater	Johns Hopkins University, school of Public Health,
Occupations	Specialist physician; Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Known for	Gender Advocacy, Founding; Women At Risk International Foundation; WARIF
Family	Ibru family

Kemi DaSilva-Ibru (born 21 June 1969) is a Nigerian specialist physician, Obstetrician and gynaecologist notable for her social activism and advocacy against gender-based violence. She's the founder of Women At Risk International Foundation. ^{[1] [2]}

Education

DaSilva-Ibru graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. She completed her postdoctoral training in obstetrics and gynaecology at Howard University, Washington DC and went on to obtain a master’s degree from the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. ^[3]

Career

DaSilva-Ibru's medical career spans decades across 3 continents as a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist. ^[4] She's the founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), a non-profit organization tackling the prevalence of gender-based violence, rape and the trafficking of young girls and women across Nigeria. ^{[5] [6]} Through her work, she has become an internationally recognized expert in the gender space and in the field of women’s health. ^{[7] [8]}

Honors and awards

DaSilva-Ibru has been bestowed with several awards, including recognition by the British Council in Nigeria. In 2020, she was recognized as one of the CNN COVID Heroes and Newsmakers. ^[9] She was a member of the distinguished 2024 Forbes 50 over 50 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) List. ^{[10] [11]} DaSilva-Ibru is now the co-chairperson for the United Nations ACT global steering committee on ending violence against women and girls. ^{[12] [13]}

References

1. Ajumobi, Kemi (2020-05-01). "Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, the gender balance advocate giving hope to survivors". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
2. Magazine, Duchess (2024-09-19). "Meet Anita Kemi DaSilva-Ibru: An Advocate for Women's Health and Justice | Duchess International Magazine" . Retrieved 2025-11-08.
3. "Meet Kemi DaSilva-Ibru: The Gynaecologist Fighting Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria". Global Citizen. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
4. Ajumobi, Kemi (2024-11-29). "Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, physician, advocate for multi-sectoral approach to tackling gender-based violence". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
5. Style, THISDAY. "Kemi Dasilva-Ibru Protecting Vulnerable Women – THISDAY Style" . Retrieved 2025-11-08.
6. Okogba, Emmanuel (2023-12-01). "WARIF raises awareness on SGBV with 'No Tolerance March'". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
7. Nigeria, Guardian (2022-03-06). "Kemi DaSilva-Ibru: Breaking The Bias Of Gender-Based Violence In Nigeria". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
8. WARIF Founder Kemi Dasilva-Ibru on tackling gender-based violence in Nigeria - CNBC Africa. 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2025-11-08– via www.cnbcafrica.com.
9. DaSilva-Ibru, Kemi. "Kemi DaSilva-Ibru | Speaker | TED". www.ted.com. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
10. McGrath, Maggie. "50 Over 50: Europe, Middle East And Africa 2024". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
11. GLAZIA (2024-01-11). "Trailblazing Women: Jumoke Adenowo and Kemi DaSilva-Ibru Shine on Forbes' 50 Over 50 List 2024". Glazia. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
12. "Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru - Africa Impact Summit 2025" . Retrieved 2025-11-08.
13. Adam, Ibrahim (2025-03-28). "Beyond barriers: 10 Nigerian professionals building hope in healthcare". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-11-08.