From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
In a collective quest to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria, Inter-Faith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), in collaboration with UN Women and partners have launched the Compendium and Accountability Framework for Faith Actors in Nigeria on ending GBV.
The compendium launch is the final milestone of the LEAP project; “Faith and Traditional Leaders for Ending SGBV through Advocacy, Policy and Social Norms Change” aimed at engaging the key actors in prevention and respond to GBV cases.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Co-Chair, IDFP, Nigeria, Rev. Abainitus Hamman said SGBV is a moral crisis and a violation of the dignity endowed by God to every human being.
“Whether it takes the form of domestic abuse, child marriage, rape, female genital mutilation, or emotional trauma, SGBV dehumanizes, marginalizes, and destroys lives, particularly those of women and girls.”
He said faith leaders; Christian, Muslim, and Traditional, are however called to be shepherds of justice, advocates of mercy, and protectors of the powerless as silence is no longer an option neither would excuses, cultural justifications, and spiritual misinterpretations be allowed to shield perpetrators or normalize abuse.
Describing the compendium as a tool for transformation, Hamman said the document is a “living commitment, a compendium that brings together theological reflections, doctrinal guidance, policy recommendations, and most importantly, an accountability framework that binds us as religious actors to a higher standard of conduct and response.
“This framework is not to shame, but to empower. It is a call for transparency in our religious institutions, for clear reporting pathways, for survivor-centered care, and for the harmonization of our voices across faith lines, Christian, Muslim, and Traditional, in the fight against GSBV. We owe this to our congregants, to our daughters and to God.
He acknowledged the partners whose expertise, courage, and collaboration was instrumental in shaping the framework assuring survivors, whose voices and resilience also guided the process that they are not alone.
He urged the faith leaders to go back to the mosques, churches, temples, and shrines committed to preach peace that begins at home and to teach the young men to honor women.
“Let us ensure our religious texts are not used as tools of oppression, but as sources of liberation and love,” he added.
In their goodwill messages, the Co-ordinators, Central a coordinating a council (CCC), Imam Faud Adeyemi, Rev John Hayab and Pastor James Wuye and Imam Ashafa Nuryan both Peace ambassadors, all condemned SGBV saying both the high and lows are involved in perpetrating the menace.
They recommended that faith leaders go back and use their alters to speak against it just as they condemned the culture of silence and the weaponization of women especially in times of crisis and war.
The National President of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Hajia Rafiah Sanni, Co-Publicity Secretary IDFP, Deaconess Bola Ihesiulor and the IDFP Focal Person for Benue state, Dr Abigail Gire applauded the choice of project and IDFP for implement and canvassed for family reorientation, girl child education among others to end GBV in the society.
Also speaking, Co-Secretary of IDFP, Rev. Fr Joseph Nomhwange, disclosed that “The church is now addressing GBV more seriously than ever before. We cannot support or remain silent about such issues.”
He commended the organizations and all stakeholders saying the united approach to end SGBV leveraging the influence of traditional and religious leaders was a right step in the right direction and urged the government at all levels to ensure the enforcement of existing GBV laws and policies.