A coalition of forward-thinking religious and cultural leaders from the South-East Nigeria recently gathered at a town hall meeting organized by the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA), with the shared objective of exploring solutions to the problem of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in their communities.

The event served as a platform for these leaders to exchange ideas, forge alliances, and ultimately develop a collaborative approach to addressing the issue of SGBV.

In a speech at the occasion in Enugu, the Enugu state governor Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah launched a comprehensive response plan to combat Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the area, it includes training community-based social workers to serve as first responders to incidents of SGBV and establishing SGBV centers in all the 17 local government areas in the state.

According to him, this grassroots approach recognizes the critical role that community members play in detecting and reporting SGBV, as well as the importance of equipping local stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively to these cases.

Speaking through Ngozi Valentina Enih, Commissioner for Enugu State Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, he said “We are taking a proactive and comprehensive approach to combating gender-based violence in our communities. By training community-based social workers to detect and respond to incidents of SGBV, we are empowering local stakeholders to take ownership of the issue and address it at the grassroots level.

He joined other prominent voices in a discussion on the intersection of faith, culture, and gender-based violence. Her comments reflect the ministry’s ongoing commitment to fostering partnerships with community leaders and engaging in a multi-pronged approach to tackling SGBV in Enugu State.

Speaking during the event, the immediate past chairman Enugu state Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu echoed the state government call for collective action, stating, “We must work together to end GBV in our communities, and that means reporting incidents to the authorities and looking out for our neighbors.

“The victims of SGBV cannot always speak out on their own, so it is up to all of us to be their voices and advocates.” he said.

He also emphasized the role of traditional rulers in promoting gender equality and combating SGBV, emphasizing that “no traditional ruler is above the law,” and advocating for women to be included in local decision-making bodies.

Igwe Agubuzu went on to maintain the need for traditional rulers to work in partnership with government agencies, saying, “We do not work against government policies, and we recognize the importance of the rule of law in promoting justice and protecting victims of SGBV. No traditional ruler is handling criminal cases in his palace, and we must avoid any actions that undermine the unity of our communities.”

Igwe Agubuzu concluded his remarks by reiterating the importance of collaboration and collective action, stating, “We must all be vigilant in the fight against SGBV, and we must work together to ensure that justice is served. Together, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.”

In an interview, the project coordinator for WABMA Media Development Foundation, Diego Okenyodo, told newsmen that the ‘Amplifying Voices of Leaders of Faith and Culture’ project was born out of a need to combat the legitimization of GBV through the silence and sometimes explicit support of leaders in our communities.

“Religion and culture should never be used as excuses for violence against women and girls,” Okenyodo stated. “We hope that by bringing progressive leaders together, they can form a unified voice that can reach more people and change hearts and minds.”

Okenyodo continued, “We are committed to supporting these progressive leaders over the next few years. Our goal is to help them develop a network of support and a platform from which they can reach the most vulnerable members of our communities.

“We believe that by working together, we can shift the narrative and create a culture of zero tolerance for GBV.
“The time to act is now, and we must all do our part to end this scourge once and for all,” Okenyodo concluded.

Participants told Desirenews that the workshop was an eye opener on the need to nip GBV to the bud.

The one day workshop attracted leaders of Faith and Culture (LFC) and selected media personalities in Igbo land, with the aim of amplifying the voices of LFC’s against SGBV and developing a Roadmap and approach to SGBV response in South Eastern Nigeria.