Abuja: The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, alongside the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), have reaffirmed their commitment to ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria. Their stance was emphasized during a capacity-building session for faith-based organizations on GBV, jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice and UN Women, with support from the Ford Foundation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Sultan highlighted the urgent need to tackle the issue, recognizing it as violence perpetrated by humans against humans. He emphasized the significance of promoting girl-child education and upholding family values, labeling it as both a religious obligation and a national imperative. The Sultan noted that educating girls empowers them to defend themselves and act against threats, while also acknowledging that GBV affects men. He called for unity and collaboration among faith communities and government institutions to eradicate GBV.
Rev. Fr. Anselm Olorunfemi-Ologunwa, Chairman of CAN, Ondo State, described GBV as a severe violation of human rights and dignity. He encouraged spiritual leaders to proactively prevent GBV and ensure justice for survivors. He urged for collective action to address root causes such as harmful traditional practices and gender inequality, and advocated for support of survivors and policy changes to protect women’s and girls’ rights.
Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, encouraged faith-based leaders to support survivors in speaking out, facilitate law enforcement referrals, and develop community-led prevention and rehabilitation systems. He proposed creating safe spaces in religious institutions, emphasizing that the formal justice system needs community partnership to succeed.
Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stressed the role of religious institutions in safeguarding the vulnerable, urging faith communities to foster safe environments. She emphasized that no faith endorses abuse or violence, and all traditions should respect human dignity.
Mrs Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, represented by Deputy Country Representative Mrs Patience Ekeoba, reiterated the importance of collective action against GBV. She stated that ending GBV is a shared responsibility and a step towards peace and prosperity.