As the world marks this year’s 16 Days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports that the Ruth Sisters Fellowship International and non-profit organisations converged on New York, United States to chart a way forward against abuses in faith-based organisations (FBOs).
In April, last year, Nigeria and, indeed, the entire world, were shocked by the news of the death of Gospel singer, Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu. More shocking were allegations that the woman with the golden voice, whose songs touched many lives, was a victim of domestic violence from her alleged abusive husband.
Worst still were allegations that her spiritual parents knew about her ordeal but persuaded her to endure and continue to pray/fast for her husband to change instead of walking away from the union.
Like Osinachi, many victims of gender-based violence in ministries across the world have been conditioned to embrace the culture of silence. There are several wives of pastors, imams, gurus and other heads of spiritual organisations who are daily subjected to sexual, physical, mental, emotional or socio-economic abuse by their spouses but cannot speak out because their voices have been silenced.
Against this backdrop, the Ruth Sisters Fellowship International, through its ‘Our Voices Because We are Involved’ initiative, collaborated with the Veteran Association of America to spotlight the rising cases of abuses in FBOs at a conference themed “Invest to prevent gender-based violence” which held on December 9 in New York City, United States (U.S.).
Setting the tone for the discussions, the Rector of the fellowship, Prof. Adaeze Okika said GBV in FBOs has continued to rise despite various enactments and resolutions by the UN.
She said her organisation saw the need to be the voice of victims of GBV in FBOs and to educate them on the need to speak out.
The rector said the fellowship had in the past few years, partnered over 6,000 civil societies to create awareness about GBV on women in FBOs as well as develop indices for advocacy and improved pulpit vocabulary for women ministries.
“To further this course, we launched the initiative ‘Our Voices Because We Are Involved’ and have maintained our stand that women in FBOs should be protected to advance their inherent potential and kingdom skills in advocating Generation Equality and gender equality…”
Okika also noted that several actions geared towards the elimination of GBV had been government-centred with very little done to get FBOs involved since the menaces were prevalent in such communities.
“Since 2015, the UN SDG 2030 has advocated that no one should be left behind. So, it is expected that policies on GBV will be inclusive. Generally, it has been observed that these laws usually end with the government and their agencies.
“Those in FBOs are not usually in the know of these laws. As a result, when such things happen, they resort to praying, fasting and enduring. This has led to avoidable deaths.
“From social media posts, it is evident that there is a high rate of GBV in FBOs. We have seen wives of ministers suffer domestic violence and they cannot speak out for fear of being judged by society.
“This is why the Ruth Sisters Fellowship came up with the initiative to take the message to FBOs so that we can educate them about what the UN Women is doing on GBV, get them actively involved in eliminating the menace by shunning the culture of silence. “We believe that voices must reach out. We believe that by the time we begin to rent our voices in churches, mosques and other religious gatherings, the awareness would have been created and victims would know what to do…”
According to her, the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence was an important campaign aimed at raising awareness, promoting gender equality and ending violence and discrimination against women and girls.
“It begins on November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10, which is Human Rights Day.
“This campaign is significant as it brings attention to the systemic issue of gender-based violence that continues to persist in societies globally. It provides a platform for individuals, organisations and governments to come together and take action towards ending violence against women, girls, boys and men.”
The founder of Miss CARCOM International Foundation, Dr. Monica Sanchez, said: “The 16 Days of Activism also serves as a reminder that addressing gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue, but a societal issue that requires collective efforts. It encourages both women and men to actively participate in combatting gender inequality and challenging the patriarchal systems that perpetuate violence and discrimination.
“However, reflection on this campaign also brings attention to the fact that ending gender-based violence requires sustained efforts beyond the 16 days. Governments and institutions need to enact policies and provide resources to create a safer environment for women and girls.
“Education, awareness, and prevention programmes should be implemented to address the root causes of violence and encourage respectful and equal relationships. Additionally, the United Nations and member states must continue to engage in addressing the intersecting forms of discrimination and violence faced by marginalised communities, such as indigenous women, individuals, and women with disabilities. These groups often face heightened levels of violence and face additional barriers to accessing justice and support services.
“In conclusion, the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a vital campaign that raises awareness and promotes action to end violence against women and girls. It serves as a reminder that the fight for gender equality and the eradication of violence is an ongoing process that requires the participation and commitment of individuals, communities, and governments worldwide.
To the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Favor Aint Fair Non-profit Organisation, Dr Demetria Sherman, preventing violence against men and women in ministries was critical and demanded unwavering attention as well as concerted action.
“In a world where incidents of gender-based violence continue to plague our communities, it is imperative that we come together as a unified force to address this pervasive issue. We must recognise that violence does not discriminate based on gender, and our efforts to combat it must be inclusive and comprehensive,” Sherman said.
“Investing in education and training resources is a powerful and proactive step towards preventing violence. By equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to recognize and address violence, we can create a culture of accountability and empowerment.
“Education is the cornerstone of change, and it is through education that we can challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours, dismantle stereotypes, and foster a culture of respect and equality.
“Training resources play an equally crucial role in our collective efforts. They provide the tools and strategies necessary to intervene in potentially dangerous situations, offer support to survivors, and engage in constructive dialogue that promotes healthy relationships…
“As we gather here today, let us reaffirm our commitment to unity in the face of adversity. Let us unite in our shared goal of building a world where violence is not tolerated, where every person can live without fear, and where respect and dignity are the cornerstones of our interactions.
“Let us invest our resources, not only in material terms, but also in our time, energy, and advocacy, for the cause of preventing violence against women and men. “Together, we have the power to effect positive change. Let us leverage our collective strength to create a future where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive in safety and security.
“I am confident that with our unity and investment in education and training resources, we can and will build a world free from the scourge of violence,” she said.
In his presentation titled “Investing in Women and Girls as Antidote against Violence: Challenges and Prospects,” a Catholic Priest and founder of Hopeyet Foundation, Dr Vincent Bulus recommended adequate representation of the vulnerable populations, reparation and research as ways to end the menace.
He said investment in education was key to helping women and girls become less vulnerable to violence, adding that gender equality was beneficial to economic and social progress as it enables women to improve their position in life. “Establishing an inclusive workforce where acceptance and safety would undoubtedly benefit all people in the society,” he said.
Speaking on emotional and psychological balance, especially among children, the President Chenka Horizons, Dr. Esther Okoye called for immediate action to stop the rampant issue of abuse affecting people from all spheres of life.
She emphasised the significance of community-based approaches in combating the rising trend of gender-based violence, emphasizing the need to assist children who frequently encounter diverse types of maltreatment.
She stressed the importance of combating abuse not just in private residences, but also within academic institutions noting that while these discussions may be challenging, they were crucial.
“When abuse is happening in a home, the people that suffer are the children. You know there’s a saying that when two elephants fight, the grass suffers so the children are the ones that are suffering. They are the ones that are feeling the impact of those abuses.”
Dr Okoye highlighted the significance of cultivating a caring community and fostering a strong sense of inclusion among individuals when dealing with mental health difficulties.
She stressed the crucial role that education plays in enabling people to identify signals indicating mistreatment while also showing sympathy towards those who have undergone distressing experiences.
She said: “We have to create a compassionate society, a compassionate environment by telling kids that you care whether in the classroom or outside the classroom.
“There’s a sense of belonging we all need to have. When you are treated differently, you will feel it, you know that something is not right, and you will know that someone is not taking care of you, not giving you what you want or not bringing you into the fold. So, it is very important.”
