Religious leaders launch policy to combat GBV prevalence in Nigeria

From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

The Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) has launched a policy to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, in partnership with the United Nations (UN) Women. The policy was validated and adopted at the OAIC’s 2025 annual general assembly and leadership retreat held in Owerri, Imo State, at the weekend.

The UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Beatrice Eyong, in her speech at the event, described GBV as a pressing human rights and public health crisis in Nigeria, emphasising the need for faith leaders to cascade prevention messages to congregations.

Eyong highlighted the vital role of faith leaders in reshaping social norms and attitudes through preaching, teaching, and pastoral care, and the importance of churches becoming safe spaces for survivors to seek help and justice.

The OAIC President, Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo, in his remarks, described the policy as a positive step that challenges religious leaders to prevent GBV, serving as a model for other faith-based organisations.

The policy, he also added, aims to challenge harmful cultural practices and domestic violence at the grassroots level and assist GBV survivors in accessing support and justice.

“This policy, among many other benefits, will help to ensure that harmful cultural practices, domestic violence, and other forms of gender-based violence are openly challenged at the grassroots. It will also assist GBV survivors to easily access support and justice,” Akinadewo explained.

The three-day retreat had in attendance prominent religious leaders and other key stakeholders from across the country, who also used the opportunity to deliberate on other key issues of leadership, faith, and social transformation.

Among them were the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Programme Officer, Ibrahim Nurudeen, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Most Rev Daniel Chukwudumebi Okoh, and the Chairperson of CAN Women Wing, Dr Ayobami Akinadewo.