Anita Kemi DaSilva – Ibru MD; MPH
Anita Kemi DaSilva – Ibru MD; MPH
Consultant Specialist – Obstetrics & Gynecology
Founder | Women at Risk International Foundation | WARIF
Anita Kemi DaSilva-Ibru is a specialist healthcare physician who is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through medical practice, social activism and wider public advocacy against gender-based violence.
Professionally, Dr DaSilva-Ibru is a consultant specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a public health physician, with over 30 years’ experience in medical practice spanning 3 continents. She is also the founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), a leading non-profit organization that addresses the prevalence of sexual violence, rape and the trafficking of young girls and women across Nigeria and Africa. Dr. DaSilva-Ibru is a recognized thought leader in the gender space and in the field of women’s health internationally. She is a member of the distinguished 2024 Forbes 50 over 50 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) List and her 2020 TED talk on the ‘shadow pandemic’ has gained a significant global audience. Dr. DaSilva-Ibru is currently the West and Central Africa representative on the UN ACT Program Global Steering Committee on Ending Violence against Women.
WARIF is one of Nigeria and Africa’s foremost organizations drawing the world’s attention and advocating against gender based violence. With a holistic and survivor-centered approach to addressing the issue; WARIF’s unique framework focusing on the provision of free post-incident essential services and the implementation of transformational educational and community-based initiatives addressing appropriate response and prevention of violence and it’s underlying causes, against women and girls. Dr DaSilva-Ibru’s goal is to bring about a world in which all women and girls can live in societies free from violence.
Dr DaSilva-Ibru is a recipient of numerous regional and international awards, including her recognition as a CNN COVID Heroes & Newsmaker, receiving an Award of Excellence by National Council of Women Affairs in Nigeria. In 2023, she was the recipient of the Gold Award for Thought Leader of the Year and in 2024, the Silver Award by Women Changing the World organization. With numerous professional memberships, including founding member of the Women in Healthcare Network (WIHCN) – the first female healthcare platform in Nigeria; Dr DaSilva-Ibru also serves as a board member on the Health Committee at the Institute of Directors; Nigeria.
