Amid the growing burden of Gender-based Violence, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) has held a two-day workshop to mobilise Christian leaders and other stakeholders against the problem.
The workshop, Empowering Christian Women and Women Leaders of Culture for Prevention and Response to Gender-based Violence in Nigeria through the Strengthening of Grassroots Organisations, was held in Lagos and funded by the Ford Foundation West Africa office.
Addressing journalists at the two-day event, which different stakeholders attended, the Executive Director of WACOL, Prof. Joy Ezeilo (SAN), said the organisation is committed to promoting gender equality, advancing women’s rights, and ensuring access to justice for women, children, and people with disabilities in Nigeria.
She said the project is a vital initiative that aims to create lasting change in communities across Nigeria by strategically partnering with grassroots organisations.
Ezeilo added that the project is uniquely positioned to address the root causes of gender-based violence, challenge harmful cultural and religious norms and promote gender equality at every level of society.
“The project grant seeks to empower Christian women and women leaders in culture to promote gender equality, prevent gender-based violence and achieve social transformation in Nigeria.
“Christian women and women leaders of culture play a vital role in their communities, families and churches. However, they often face gender-based challenges and barriers that limit their participation and leadership. This project aims to engage Christian women and leaders from diverse cultures across Nigeria in becoming more gender sensitive, thereby promoting equality and social transformation.
“WACOL encouraged continued dialogue and partnership across denominations, cultural groups and regions to ensure that the momentum generated by this project extends far beyond its duration,” Ezeilo said.
The group held that true social transformation can be achieved only through sustained advocacy, education, and community engagement.
She listed the organisation’s deliverables and milestones to include development of of a practical manual for Christian and community women to prevent gender based violence and address harmful cultural; engagement of 100 Christian women’s group across denomination throughout Nigeria: training of at least 1,000 women religious leaders across all six geopolitical zones in two years: to reach out and train at least 500 cultural women leader, including ‘Umu Ada’ in Igbo land and other female, chiefs, titled women across Nigeria.
