Stakeholders Urge Collaboration to Combat Gender-Based Violence

In Ibadan, stakeholders have called for enhanced collaboration among government bodies, faith leaders, and traditional institutions to effectively combat gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria. This call was made during a dialogue session organized by Hacei and WACOL, themed "Empower Christian Women Leaders to Culturally Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence." Rev. Elisha Ogundiya, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria's Oyo State chapter, urged Christians to embody the fear of God to eliminate GBV, emphasizing the collective responsibility to protect vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls.

Mr. Toyin Balogun, representing the Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, highlighted the need for a multi-sectoral approach to address GBV, which disrupts education and economic stability. The dialogue concluded with a commitment to create actionable measures to end GBV, with Rhoda Robinson, the executive director of Hacei, lamenting the suffering of women due to GBV and advocating for collaborative efforts among religious, cultural, and governmental leaders.