Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo is a Nigerian feminist and woman's rights advocate focused on gender justice and eradication of gender-based violence in Nigeria. She is the founder and executive director of BraveHeart Initiative for Youth and Women (BHI). In 2021, she was named among ApoliticalâÂÂs 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy along Stella Nyanzi and Fatima Denton. Also, in 2024 she received the U.S. Mission Nigeria Woman of Courage Award in recognition of her advocacy and impact.
Usiobaifo's advocacy work was influenced by her exposure to systemic gender inequality and violence affecting women and girls in underserved communities. Her early engagement in gender justice efforts shaped her later founding of BHI.
She founded the BraveHeart Initiative (BHI) as a youth development club in 2002 in Igara, Edo State. The organisation later formalised in 2009 and registered as a non-governmental organisation working on sexual and reproductive health and rights and ending sexual and genderâÂÂbased violence (SGBV) in rural communities.
Usiobaifo through BHI was prominently involved in the legal pursuit of Jacob Alonge, convicted in 2019 for the incestuous rape of his daughter. Alonge escaped custody during the 2020 #EndSARS jailbreak and was reâÂÂarrested in May 2024, after which BHI called for stronger custodial safeguards. Commentary in national media has cited the case to illustrate both the risks to advocates and the persistence required to secure justice for survivors.
News reports have described Usiobaifo as a leading voice on antiâÂÂrape advocacy and communityâÂÂbased systems strengthening in Nigeria, particularly in rural Edo State. In WANEPâÂÂs regional newsletter Usiobaifo's work was recognised for securing convictions in multiple SGBV cases and for providing survivorâÂÂcentred support.
During the 16 Days of Activism in 2022, Usiobaifo appeared alongside Omowumi Ogunrotimi in a public discussion on activism to end violence against women and girls. She has also engaged the Ford FoundationâÂÂs West Africa efforts to transform harmful social norms, including events held during CSW69 in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, spotlighting the role of traditional, religious and community leaders in preventing GBV.