The International Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) in collaboration with the UN WOMEN has called on faith and traditional leaders in Benue State to take active part in ending cases of gender based violence (GBV) in the state.
The co-chair, Inter-Faith Dialogue Forum for Peace on GBV in Nigeria, Rev. Abainitus Hamman Jnr made at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement forum on development and validation of a comprehensive compendium for faith-based actors on prevention of SGBV in Nigeria held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The project is a six-month project to be implemented in Benue, Bauchi, Kaduna and Ekiti states.
Hamman, who explained that the gathering was to address one of the most pervasive and devastating issues facing the society, noted that violence against women, girls, and other marginalised groups is a severe violation of their dignity and basic rights.
He said from physical assault and domestic violence to sexual harassment and harmful traditional practices, the scourge of GBV destroys lives, families, and communities.
He advised that as faith leaders, they are called not only to offer prayers but also to take active and concrete steps to address the epidemic.
He noted that while every major world religion, including Islam and Christianity, holds the sacred principle of protecting human dignity at its core, gender-based violence remains rampant in the society.
He said: “Faith communities have a profound influence on shaping societal norms, behaviours, and attitudes. We must leverage this influence to condemn gender-based violence unequivocally and promote the protection and empowerment of women and girls.
“Today, we call upon all religious leaders, Christian, Muslim, traditional, and others to join forces and take action, build a society where gender-based violence is not tolerated, where survivors are supported, and where prevention is at the heart of our community values.”
He emphasised that they must condemn all forms of GBV, and promote education and awareness in their communities about the harmful consequences of GBV and the importance of mutual respect between men and women.
He further urged them to provide support for survivors in terms of giving them solace, safety, and support within their communities, as well as offering shelter, counselling, and other practical assistance and work with governments and civil society to ensure that policies and laws protecting women and girls were implemented and upheld.
They must also encourage men’s involvement and also engage men and boys in discussions about gender equality and non-violence for true transformation.
Giving an overview of the project, the co-secretary of IDFP and co project director, Imam Shefiu Majemu, quoted a UN WOMEN report, stating that 43 percent cases of child’s early and forced marriage, have been recorded, while 23 million girls and women are married as children.
He said the project sought to develop effective mapping tools to source relevant data of GBV prevention actors in West Africa for a better understanding of the ecosystem and to develop and publish a regional accountability framework for traditional and religious leaders on GBV and the promotion of SRHR.
The co-project director said it is expected that at the end, there would evolve a faith based prevention actors using IDFP existing and new networks in the four states initialised, while a comprehensive compendium of SGBV prevention actors would be developed, published, referenced and verified as tools for intervention.
While taking participants through the prevention of GBV and sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), the resource person, Chief Mrs Justina Ngwogobia, called on families to instil good morals in their children, especially the boy child.
She said while the world was focusing on the girl child in the discussion of GBV, they have abandoned the boy child. “Let us train the boy child to be a good member of the society and a good husband,” she said, insisting that involving the men and boys in GBV discussions and activities would go a long way to curtailing the cases of GBV.
The stakeholders, drawn from the religious and traditional institutions, appreciated IDFP and UN WOMEN for the programme and pledged their commitment to activities that would end GBV in the state. They also promised to step up activities and discussions to their followers.
