Dr Samira Buhari is doing incredible work to make a real difference in the lives of northern women by advocating for women, children, and society’s most vulnerable members.
Her passion for uplifting women and girls led her to found the Daurama Foundation, an organisation dedicated to addressing critical social issues such as gender-based violence, women’s health, education, and economic empowerment. Through the foundation, Samira Buhari is fighting to give women and girls the opportunities they deserve and to provide them with a platform to speak out about the violence and inequality they face.
How the Daurama Foundation advocates social change
The Daurama Foundation, founded this year, focuses on empowering women, protecting children, addressing domestic violence, improving neonatal health, advocating for menstrual health and hygiene, and creating a safer and healthier future for the female gender.
One of its essential programs is raising awareness about gender-based violence. That includes working with local communities to offer support and creating platforms where violence survivors can share their stories.
Through the foundation’s outreach, women are learning about their rights, and young girls are given the chance to break free from cycles of violence. With 80 Volunteers this year, they raised ₦20 million to help 1,750 people and counting.
Hauwa, a young student, shared that before Dauramna came to her community, she lived in fear, constantly abused by her husband, but Dauramna gave her hope.
“Before Dauramna, I lived in fear, constantly abused by my husband. They provided me with legal aid and safe shelter, allowing me to escape the violence. I’m attending their skills training program, learning to sew and build a new life for myself and my children. Daurama gave me hope and the strength to rebuild,” she says.
Alysia, now a trader, also shared how she gathered the courage to leave her abusive partner after the Daurama Foundation came to her village.
“The Daurama Foundation came to our village to educate us about our rights and domestic violence. It opened my eyes to the abuse I was enduring. With their support, I gathered the courage to leave my abusive partner and start a support group for other women in the village. Together, we are breaking the silence and creating a safer community for all,” Alysia recounts.
In a short time, Dauramna has helped over a thousand people in Nigeria by providing numerous vital services to young girls and women.
Tackling gender-based violence through storytelling
One of the most exciting projects of the Daurama Foundation is a powerful short film called “Voices Within.” The film is set to premiere on November 30, 2024, at Silverbird Cinema, Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja. The film tells the story of a young girl who uses writing as a way to cope with the abuse she faces in her home. Through her words, she finds a way to heal and eventually find her voice.
This movie is part of Samira Buhari’s larger mission to raise awareness about gender-based violence. The film is designed to open eyes to the painful reality that many women and children live with every day while also showing them that there is hope. The film will be showcased during the 16 Days of Activism, a global campaign to stop violence against women and girls.
Her work has earned her numerous awards and recognitions for her leadership and commitment to improving the lives of women and children. Recently, she was honoured with the Sir Obafemi Awolowo Platinum Leadership Award for her dedication to philanthropy and social change. She is not just talking about change-she is making it happen.
