By Roland Ike

The Anglican Diocese of Abakaliki Health and Community Development Initiative, has sought the collaboration of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in its advocacy towards preventing Gender- Based Violence (GBV) in Ebonyi State.

The Group’s Project Coordinator, Chukwunonye Umeokafor made the remark when he led its delegation on an advocacy visit to the NAN Ebonyi office in Abakaliki.

Umeokafor said the group intends to contribute in the fight to prevent GBV which, he noted, is a major factor to instability in many homes, workplaces, schools, among other places.

“Several men and women engage in GBV knowingly and unknowingly and such for instance, affects children raised in such homes.

“Our advocacy is unique because we correct the notion that only men perpetrate GBV as women are also involved in such acts.

“We therefore seek the collaboration of NAN to disseminate messages of our activities being a critical stakeholders in news dissemination in the country.”

The team leader noted that the group had formed youth clubs in schools, engaged stakeholders through participatory meetings, knowledge and capacity building outreaches, among other activities.

“We carry out archdeaconry and parish outreaches and my team is drawn from various parishes and archdeaconries under the Anglican Diocese of Abakaliki.

“The members step-down our messages to various parishes and arcdeaconaries to ensure that the congregations say no to GBV.”

He noted that the group is working in collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental agencies in propagating preventive messages on GBV.

“We are in touch with the pet project of the Ebonyi Governor’s Wife, the state ministries of Women Affairs, Justice, relevant security agencies, among others.

“We need more peaceful homes and workplaces and this can be achieved when people’s rights and privileges are duly respected.”

The State Correspondent of NAN in Ebonyi, Chukwuemeka Opara thanked the group for the visit and assured them of the Agency’s collaboration in achieving its goals.

“Identifying the critical role NAN plays in disseminating life uplifting messages is important being the flagship of news dissemination in the country.

“The agency under the leadership of Ali. M. Ali is poised to continue playing leading roles in reshaping the country through accurate and objective news dissemination.”

Opara noted that the NAN Ebonyi office will continue collaborating with individuals and groups which desire to uplift the welfare of the masses.