She started with just doing small things from her space which then grew into a movement led by young people with over 400 members and volunteers in Nigeria - this is the story of Salvation Grace, the founder of VARSH Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization with feminist principles driven by youth committed to eradicating sexual abuse, child abuse, gender-based violence, and gender discrimination in society. They empower victims and hold offenders accountable through legal advocacy and community support. VARSH's work focuses on key areas such as child rights, women's empowerment, and the promotion of peace and security, with a strong commitment to justice and equality. They align their initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Over the past years, she has spearheaded several initiatives aimed at preventing sexual violence through bystander interventions and advocating for the protection of women and children from all forms of gender-based violence. These initiatives have ranged from school outreaches (with appropriate messaging for children on body safety and adolescents), town hall meetings, and religious outreach programs at churches and mosques to workshops, market sensitization campaigns, and peer education sessions. Through these efforts, she has engaged community leaders, stakeholders, and the broader public in a collective call to action against gender-based violence. Her work extends to using social media platforms through our digital advocates to spread awareness and mobilize support for survivors.
Her work at VARSH Foundation has been instrumental in exposing sexual abuse and raising awareness about GBV, providing critical mental, legal, and social support to survivors, and ensuring their access to justice and support in rural communities.
Specifically, she leads a team of educators where they educate by raising awareness on child sexual abuse and GBV through school outreaches and trainings. They aim to create a safer and more equitable environment for all, where everyone can live free from the threat of violence and discrimination. Currently, her work involves implementing projects that create awareness and response mechanisms for GBV, as well as developing interventions to support survivors in under-served communities and also reaching adolescents on sexual health and reproductive rights issues, specifically body autonomy and use of contraceptives. They also leverage digital tools for advocacy and social justice.
