UN Women, in partnership with the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), has called on Christian religious leaders to take urgent action in the fight against violence targeting women and girls.
This appeal was made during a two-day workshop, supported by UN Women and the Ford Foundation, aimed at educating church leaders on gender-based violence (GBV) and empowering them to spearhead collective action against it.
The workshop, which brought together leaders from various Christian denominations, focused on deepening their understanding of GBV and equipping them with tools to promote gender justice through church platforms. It also provided an opportunity for religious leaders to network and collaborate on efforts to eradicate GBV within their communities.
Citing alarming global statistics, including a WHO report indicating that one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence, UN Women emphasized the crucial role of religious leaders in challenging harmful cultural norms that often justify violence. In Nigeria, GBV remains a pervasive issue, manifesting in domestic violence, sexual assault, and harmful traditional practices.
Religious leaders, as moral authorities within their communities, have the power to influence change. According to a UN Women statement, the workshop aimed to impact sermons and teachings, encouraging clergy to reinterpret religious texts to address gender inequality, condemn GBV, and promote respectful relationships.
During the sessions, facilitated by UN Women Programmes Officer Ibrahim Nurudeen, participants examined harmful social norms and affirmed the need to modernize the interpretation of certain religious tenets. Rev. Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, stressed the importance of addressing the deprivation of opportunities for women within the church and homes. “We must first deal with these issues connected to GBV before we can effectively give moral leadership in this advocacy,” he said.
The workshop provided religious leaders with strategies to integrate gender equality into their teachings and marriage counselling, equipping them to become advocates for change. OIAC Nigeria President, Israel Akinadewo, urged leaders to become “champions of spiritual battalions” in the fight against GBV.
UN Women’s goal is to drive a socio-cultural transformation, empowering religious leaders to lead efforts toward a more equitable and violence-free society across Nigeria and West Africa.
