Josephine Effah-Chukwuma is a Nigerian Development Specialist and advocate against domestic violence. She is known for her unwavering stand against all forms of violence against women and girls.
Below are 10 things women should know about her:
1. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma was born on September 29, 1966. She was born into a family of 7.
2. Josephine is an English and Literature graduate from the University of Calabar. She has a master’s degree in Development Studies with specialization in women from the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, Netherlands.
3. She is the Founder and Executive Director, Project Alert, established in January, 1999 which provides medical assistance to injured female victims through public fund sourcing and also provide legal services to victims.
4. In May 2001, she launched a shelter project known as Sophia’s place (the first battered women’s shelter in Nigeria) – a temporary shelter for victims of domestic violence. For eight years, the shelter operated in a rented building.
5. She worked for a newspaper called The Diplomat until 1992 when she went for her master’s degree after which she joined The Constitutional Rights Project, an institution founded by Clement Nwankwo.
6. In 2010, Project Alert was able to acquire its own building for its shelter project through funds raised at the NGO’s 10th Anniversary Shelter Fundraising event in 2009 and funds received from the African Women Foundation, AWDF, Accra Ghana.
7. She is a member of several organizations which include Lead Consultant at Justice for all (J4A) Programme 1.4 Voluntary Policing, President at Our Lady of Apostle Old Students Association, Founding Member at Association on Research in Civil Society in Africa, AROCSA and also an Ashoka fellow since 2002.
8. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma said the exciting part of her work is the difference she makes in peoples’ lives; putting a smile on someone’s face. Another exciting part is seeing an idea that began as a little thought in her mind come alive.
9. On 6 December 2019, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma celebrated the 20th anniversary of the organization she set up to promote and protect the rights of women and young girls in Lagos. The celebration of 20 years of advocacy for zero tolerance for all forms of violence against women was accompanied by the release of a documentary on abuse survivors and their intriguing stories.
10. She was married to Mr. Innocent Chukwuma but sadly, she lost her husband last year to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She described him as her best friend, soul mate and brother.
