FIDA engages Ekiti religious leaders on GBV prevention

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has engaged religious leaders in Ekiti State as part of its intensified campaign to sensitise the public against the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in the state.

FIDA explained that religion plays a crucial role in shaping social behaviour and attitudes toward advancing gender justice in the country.

The Country Vice President and National President of FIDA Nigeria, Eliana Martins, spoke during the two-day second annual dialogue for religious leaders, tagged’ Strengthening Religious Institutions to Prevent GBV’

The event organised by FIDA Nigeria, with support from Ford Foundation, had in attendance faith-based leaders and organisations across the state.

The event featured several breakout sessions, interactive parleys, and recommendations, bringing together religious leaders and other key stakeholders across the state.

Represented by the chairperson of FIDA Ekiti, Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, she noted that the organisation in the last few years has remained resolute in its efforts at preventing the GBV practices in the state.

According to her, the three-year dialogue in its second year is organised to help dismantle cultural and social beliefs that promote gender inequality and violence in society.

She said, “We recognise that religion is enacted by social actors and can contribute to, or counter, violence, including gender-based violence.

“In most cases, texts interpreted as supporting men’s headship feature prominently, and the insistence on women’s subordination on the basis of religious ideology sponsors, justifies, and fuels violence against women.

“Religion can either fuel or curb violence. Texts used to justify male headship often underpin women’s subordination.”

The project Lead, Ifeanyi Eze, noted that the three-year project, now in its second year, seeks to scale up GBV prevention by engaging religious leaders and community gatekeepers.

He said the goal is to integrate faith and GBV prevention, using dialogue to promote safeguarding principles that can help eradicate GBV in the state.

“FIDA Nigeria will, through dialogue, create a platform for faith and religious leaders to reflect, exchange ideas and build consensus on advancing gender justice within their congregations and communities,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the religious leaders, Alhaji Abdulfatai Olorunkemi and Pastor Michael Oloruntoba described the dialogue as very successful and stressed the importance of continuous sensitisation in all religious platforms to reduce and prevent GBV in the state.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE