Targeted Engagement with Female Christian Religious Leaders on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria

YouthCare Development and Empowerment Initiative > Targeted Engagement with Female Christian Religious Leaders on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria

Location:
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Supported by:
FORD Foundation

Overview

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) continues to pose a serious human rights and public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly affecting women and children. 

Religion plays a significant role in both preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria. Faith leaders, particularly in Christian communities, hold considerable influence over societal norms and behaviours. While these leaders have at times perpetuated harmful beliefs and practices, they also possess great potential to drive positive change. Female religious leaders, in particular, are well-positioned to create impact as they maintain direct contact with women and girls through their meetings, counselling, and training sessions. Many women who experience GBV perceive religious spaces as safe havens where they can seek refuge and support, especially when fear, shame, or societal pressure discourages them from pursuing justice.

Building on the success of a recent pilot program, which sensitized and trained 30 female religious leaders and 20 female-led CSOs with the support of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, this project aims to further that success by adopting a survivor-centred approach that respects survivors' needs, fosters collaboration and leverages the influence of religious leaders to catalyze change within prominent religious circles such as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Christian Association of Nigeria (CCN), and Christian Council of Nigeria (CAN).

Program Purpose

The primary objective of this prevention program is to generate evidence and demonstrate the effectiveness of faith-based approaches in preventing Violence Against Women (VAW) and Violence Against Children (VAC). The program seeks to identify and address the root causes of such violence by engaging religious leaders and church communities as active agents of change.

This initiative introduced an innovative model by establishing Gender-Based Violence Prevention Desk Committees and safeguarding principles within Christian religious structures across five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ibadan. The committees served as mechanisms for prevention, early identification, community education, and coordinated response to GBV cases within the faith community.

Stakeholder Engagement

The program involved the participation of:

  • Church leaders and faith-based institutions
  • GBV prevention Committee members
  • Survivors of GBV (in line with ethical standards)
  • Representatives of PFN, CCN, and CAN