Protect the Child Foundation (PTCF), has called on religious leaders on the need to preach against sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) and stigmatization of survivors, integrate SGBV prevention in marriage counselling.
A nonprofit and non-governmental organization (NGO) with the support of the French Embassy Fund made the call during separate advocacy visits by the organization under its Project Ebulejonu to the respective leaderships of the Kogi State chapters of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) respectively.
The founder and Executive Director of the Protect the Child Foundation, Barrister Mrs Elizabeth Ebulejonu Achimugu who led the team on the advocacy visits revealed “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence continues to be a silent but severe crisis in Nigeria and particularly in Kogi State due to poverty, ignorance and weak law enforcement among other challenges.
The NGO equally urged them to report SGBV cases to appropriate law enforcement agencies instead of treating it as a ‘domestic affair’ within their folds as well as the need to mainstream women and people with disabilities in decision-making, especially on matters that affect them.
“Women, children and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are disproportionately affected.” She said.
The organization calls for improved governance at all levels so as to improve the living condition of the populace, particularly vulnerable population.
In his respond, the Chairman of Kogi State Chapter of JNI, Ambassador Usman Bello in his response appreciated the visit by the NGO and revealed that the JNI as an Islamic organization is doing all it can to promote the ideals of protection and safety of women, children and persons with disabilities as being championed by the PTCF.
He stated that they also preach peaceful co-existence, understanding, cooperation unity and love through their Imams and Islamic religious leaders. He expressed the readiness of the JNI to partner and compare notes with PTCF as well as the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria to propagate the message of brotherhood, love, peace and understanding, notwithstanding that there would always be deviant behaviours in the society.
Subsequently, the PTCF team visited the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi State Chapter in Lokoja where the team was warmly received by the state Chairman of the Association, Special Apostle Pastor Dr Adebayo Olaniyan.
Barrister Mrs Elizabeth Ebulejonu Achimugu, the founder and Executive Director of PTCF while stating the purpose of the visit, remarked that “with the support of the French Embassy Fund, Protect the Child Foundation is currently doing awareness, advocacy and sensitization around Sexual and Gender-Based Violence under its ongoing “Project Ebulejonu”.
The focus of the project is to advance the rights of women, child and persons with disabilities…we have therefore come to solicit your support in the fight against SGBV, so as to leverage on the pulpit and strong influence on your congregations.”
Also the State CAN Chairman Special Apostle Pastor Dr Adebayo Olaniyan in his response declared that the Church is not silent on issues of SGBV as the Church often preaches against domestic violence, conduct pre-marital and continuous counselling as well as foster reconciliation among for couples and families.
He added that one major challenge is that most women don’t speak out on time even when they are experiencing domestic violence. Secondly, they church does not stop women from reporting cases of SGBV but perhaps for factors such as archaic cultural beliefs, challenges with the judicial/legal systems, the Nigeria Police and medical requirement for proof of sexual/domestic violence cases among other inhibitions.
The chairman underscored the need for reform of the justice system of the country and the importance of economic empowerment for women so they would not have to depend on their husbands as their ‘alpha and omega’ for sustenance.
He requested for the support of PTCF in helping to establish desk officers in CAN on SGBV to facilitate collaboration, data collation and appropriate handling of cases of SGBV.
The advocacy visits to the religious leaders afforded opportunity for constructive dialogue and need for collaboration to tackle Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and protection of the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities in Kogi State.
The NGO also used the occasion to distribute some of its booklets and advocacy materials on SGBV to the clerics with a view to disseminating the message to their respective members. The PTCF expressed their gratitude to the French Embassy Fund for its support and impact in Kogi State through the Project Ebulejonu.
