In Nigeria, 30-million women suffer from some form of domestic violence. Many don't speak about it. But one activist is fighting passionately to stop the abuse and empower more women. CGTN's Deji Badmus has her inspiring story. 

She is easily the most recognizable face in the fight against gender violence in Nigeria. Her organization, Women Arise for Change Initiative, is at the very forefront in the campaign to bring culprits to face justice and end violence against women in a society where the trend is rampant. In Lagos, for instance, Nigeria's commercial nerve center, at least five cases of domestic violence mainly against women are reported daily. Joe Okei-Odumakin, is at the center of the campaign to put a check to the worrying statistics.

JOE OKEI-ODUMAKIN PRESIDENT, WOMEN ARISE FOR CHANGE INITIATIVE "A lot of people who suffer from this violence keep mute. The weapon of the oppressor is silence."

It's a weapon she is doing everything to dismantle and get society to stage a fight back. Her organization does not just campaign against gender violence, it takes up the cases of women who have been abused and help them to get justice.

JOE OKEI-ODUMAKIN PRESIDENT, WOMEN ARISE FOR CHANGE INITIATIVE "We have handled more than 4,000 cases of violence. But this year alone, we have handled more than a thousand. It's serious."

And it not just women's cases alone that Joe and organization handle, she says they have a number of fatal abuses against men too.

JOE OKEI-ODUMAKIN PRESIDENT, WOMEN ARISE FOR CHANGE INITIATIVE "Men, few of them, have come to report to us that their wives are beating them. I have had cause to go for where about ten men their wives killed at different times were being buried. Now we have handled not less than 45 cases of men that have been beaten."

Through her work, Joe and her organization have been able to get justice for quite a number of abused women while still pursuing other cases in court. It's a difficult campaign she says but she is still pressing on with all vigor.

JOE OKEI-ODUMAKIN PRESIDENT, WOMEN ARISE FOR CHANGE INITIATIVE "It's a continuous process. At times, it's sickening. At times, it gets one very sad. But one can never give up. So what gets me fulfilled is when I see the perpetrator of the act brought to book."

Joe has won several awards in recognition for her work. But one which stands out is the International Women of Courage Award presented to her by the United States Department of State in 2013.

JOE OKEI-ODUMAKIN PRESIDENT, WOMEN ARISE FOR CHANGE INITIATIVE "Standing on the same podium with the First Lady then of the United States and the US Secretary of State and a lot of people, those into the system that has given hope to the world, I just felt the country that has produced me, it's another reminder that I can never give up on Nigeria. That whatever it is, this country must flourish again."

For over two decades now, Joe has been fighting injustice and defending the vulnerable and defenceless of society as well as giving them a voice. Her spirit is untiring and her passion for the cause of African women, undying and going stronger every passing day. DB, CGTN.