Chinwe Enyinna, MPH, BSN, is a Nigerian-British advocate who is fervently committed to championing gender equality and preventing gender-based violence. She stands at the forefront of advocacy and action with over 5 years of experience, her passion stems from her journey through Intimate Partner Violence, a struggle that transformed into purpose.
Chinwe is the UK Country Chair for the Anti-GBV Wing of the G100 Club. In this role, she collaborates with women leaders worldwide, providing thought leadership to address gender disparities and facilitate the social and economic empowerment of women.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she founded “D’ Survivor Hub Nigeria,” an initiative where she spearheads impactful advocacy campaigns and provides support to domestic abuse survivors. Her tireless efforts have provided support, healing, and empowerment to survivors of domestic abuse, impacting over 500 women and girls.
She is also the co-founder of the Pamirian Foundation Nigeria, a non-profit organization contributing to the eradication of poverty and creating sustainable opportunities in African rural communities, which has impacted around 1000 widows and orphans through various projects.
Chinwe’s professional background as a nurse brings both empathy and expertise to her work. Her commitment to advocating for women is evident in her multifaceted approach to advocacy, which ranges from grassroots initiatives to global engagements.
As an author, she shares her journey and insights, inspiring others to find strength and purpose in their own experiences. Chinwe’s expertise extends to public speaking, where she delivers powerful messages at women empowerment and GBV awareness events. She has been a speaker at the Story House Women Weekend Festival, Chester, UK, and at several events globally.
Chinwe’s commitment to gender equality and GBV prevention is further exemplified by her role as a UN Women UK CSW 68 delegate.
In her personal time, she finds solace in writing and values moments spent with family, friends, and her community. Chinwe Enyinna believes in the power of human connection and remains committed to her mission of creating a world where women and girls can thrive, free from violence and inequality.
Your journey from survivor to advocate is truly inspiring. Can you share how your personal experience with intimate partner violence transformed into your life’s purpose?
I was trapped in an abusive marriage where my voice was silenced. I completely lost myself and the true essence of my being within this period. But one day, I had a personal reawakening where I saw the chasm between all I dreamt of in life and my personal reality. I took the bold step of daring to dream of freedom in a patriarchal society that is judgmental. With courage, I took the first step into the unknown. I sought help, found my strength, and broke the chains that held me in what was called ‘marriage’.
Here today, I am not just a survivor but a voice for countless women who are still afraid to speak up. That dark moment of my life helped me discover myself, find purpose, and carve a path where today I advocate for gender equality and prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and support women breaking free from toxic relationships and rebuilding their lives.
As the UK Country Chair for the Anti-GBV Wing of the G100 Club, you collaborate with women leaders worldwide. How do these global connections enhance your advocacy work?
Being a part of the G100 Club expanded the scope of my advocacy beyond borders. Collaborating with women leaders worldwide has allowed us to share strategies, amplify voices, and implement impactful solutions on a larger scale. These global connections have granted me access to resources, knowledge, and best practices that strengthen my advocacy against gender-based violence. Together, we lead initiatives that drive meaningful change, ensuring that advancing women’s rights remains a priority across different societies.
You founded “D’ Survivor Hub Nigeria” during the pandemic. What unique challenges did survivors face during COVID-19, and how did your initiative address them?
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified domestic abuse as survivors were trapped at home with their abusers due to the lockdowns. Many had no access to available support and faced financial dependency on their abusers. This inspired me to build D’ Survivor Hub Nigeria – a hub that provided emergency support and advocacy campaigns to raise awareness. We connected survivors with resources and safe spaces and helped over 100 women and girls in Imo State, Nigeria, during an incredibly difficult time.
You’re also a co-founder of the Pamirian Foundation Nigeria. How does this work complement your advocacy against gender-based violence?
Pamirian Foundation Nigeria is focused on eradicating poverty and creating sustainable opportunities, especially for widows and orphans in rural communities. Evidence abounds that financial dependence is a major reason why many women stay in abusive relationships. By providing financial empowerment, skill acquisition, and sustainable support to women, we help them break free from cycles of abuse. This work is fundamental to the larger picture and complements my anti-GBV advocacy because it addresses poverty, which is one of the major root causes of gender-based violence.
As a nurse, how has your healthcare background influenced your approach to advocacy?
My nursing background gave me a unique perspective on the impact of gender-based violence from a health viewpoint. In the course of my duty as a nurse, I observed how abuse impacts the physical and mental health of survivors. This ranges from trauma injuries to depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) etc. My experiences in the field have given me the knowledge and opportunity to approach advocacy with a holistic lens—ensuring survivors receive both medical and emotional support while also pushing for better healthcare policies for women and girls affected by GBV.
You’ve spoken at events globally and been published on influential platforms. What message do you find resonates most powerfully with audiences?
The message that resonates most is that survivors are not victims; they are warriors. I often share that gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue, it’s a human issue. It’s a societal issue and must be tackled by all humans. When women are empowered, entire communities thrive.
What resonates most powerfully with my audience is that THIS IS MY STORY. Sharing my personal experiences enables people to see our shared humanity and experiences. They find my stories true and relatable and so connect deeply when I talk about transformation – a story of how I turned my pain into purpose to serve the world.
A young woman wants to become an advocate but doesn’t know where to start. What advice would you give her?
Start with using your voice. Advocacy doesn’t always mean leading a movement. It begins with educating yourself, speaking out, supporting survivors, and using your platform, no matter how small, to create awareness. Volunteer with organizations doing the work and find mentors who can guide you. Your voice is a powerful tool, and it can create change. Most importantly, stay committed.
You mentioned finding solace in writing. How has writing influenced your advocacy work?
Writing has been both a healing tool and a means of advocacy. Through storytelling, I get into myself and interrogate my feelings. It is a route through which I escape, explore, create, and recreate, and above all, share experiences that spark conversations, inspire action, and educate people about gender-based violence. Being published on platforms like The Guardian and Bella Naija allowed me to reach millions, shedding light on issues that are often ignored or discussed in hushed tones. Writing turns awareness into action, and that’s why I continue to use my voice through words.
As a UN Women UK CSW 68 delegate, what policy changes do you believe would have the greatest impact on reducing gender-based violence?
Policy changes should focus more on prevention as much as create effective responses that address societal norms that enable violence. Many of our cultures are deeply rooted in patriarchy. Religion also enables it, sort of. Focusing on the gatekeepers in these institutions will help to prevent incidences of gender-based violence. Secondly, ensuring that there is easy access to justice for survivors and holding perpetrators accountable is key because this will serve as a deterrent to perpetrators of gender-based violence. Lastly, investment in girls’ education and integrating gender-based violence awareness into school curriculums, in addition to economic empowerment for women, is very crucial. The time is now!
| Connect With Chinwe Enyinna |
| Instagram – @Chinwe.Enyinna |
| Website – www.chinweenyinna.com |
