ACADI, ADOAHACDI Train Clergies, CSOs on GVB Prevention, Capacity Enhancement

Anglican Compassion and Development Initiative (ACADI) has emphasized the need for clergies, CSOs and stakeholders to intensify efforts at prevention, advocacy, referral, linkages, capacity enhancement and networking to end all form of gender based violence in the society.

The organization made this known at a one-day training organized in partnership with Anglican Diocese of Abakaliki Health and Community Development initiative (ADOAHACDI) in Abakaliki.

In his remarks, the Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Anglican Communion, Bishop Monday C. Nkwoagu who spoke through the programme officer of ADOAHACDI, Rev. Umeokafor Chukwunenye Chukwuebuka, said the Prevent gender based Violence (CON Prevent GBV Project), was a project of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

He noted that it was aimed at bringing a transformational response to the challenges of Gender Based Violence in communities, beginning with the Anglican Communion congregations all over the country.

The Bishop revealed that gender based violence has become a human right issue, hence the goal of the training which were to contribute to the prevention of violence against women and girls, through strategic initiative of 75% of the Anglican Dioceses and parishes in Nigeria.

He emphasized that the objectives includes achieving prevention, advocacy, referrals, linkages to knowledge, capacity enhancement, networking and information management systems.

Participants from different parishes of Abakaliki Dioceses of Anglican Communion and some CSO leaders were engaged in various trainings, and discussion sessions on definition and causes of GBV, Biblical perspective of gender and sex, concept of gender as it relates to GBV.

Others are how issues of gender puts women and girls at risk of GBV, gender roles, norms and the possible implications on individuals, families and communities.

Some scriptures that reveal God’s mind for his children, and some negative effects of gender roles and norms on individuals, families and communities were also extensively discussed at the training.

The training facilitator who called on participants to step down the training, defined gender based violence as any harmful act that violates human rights perpetrated against a person based on the socially ascribed differences between male and female.

He adds that GBV include but not limited to physical, sexual and psychological harm, including extortion, intimidation, bullying and suffering. Others are deprivation of basic necessities of life such as food, education, shelter, and freedom within the family or the community.