Faith Leaders Unite to End Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria
IDFP and UN Women Launch Compendium and Accountability Framework Under LEAP Project
Abuja, Nigeria – The Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), in partnership with UN Women, has officially launched a Compendium and Accountability Framework to mobilize faith leaders across Nigeria in the fight against Gender and Sexual-Based Violence (GSBV).
Held at Ajuji Hotel, Gudu, Abuja, the event was themed:
“Faith and Traditional Leaders for Ending GBV by Advancing Advocacy, Policy & Social Norms in Nigeria and West Africa – LEAP Project.”
“Silence Is No Longer an Option” — Rev. Abainitus
Rev. Abainitus Akila Hamman Jr, Co-chair of IDFP Nigeria, issued a compelling call to action, urging religious and traditional leaders to break the silence and take a stand against violence in all its forms.
“Faith leaders are called to be shepherds of justice, advocates of mercy, and protectors of the powerless. Silence is no longer an option. Excuses, cultural justifications, and spiritual misinterpretations must not be allowed to shield perpetrators or normalize abuse,” he said.
He described GSBV as a moral and spiritual crisis that violates the dignity given to every human being by the Creator.
“Whether it takes the form of domestic abuse, child marriage, rape, female genital mutilation, or emotional trauma, GSBV dehumanizes, marginalizes, and destroys lives — particularly those of women and girls.”
A Living Commitment Across Faiths
According to Rev. Abainitus, the compendium is not merely a publication, but a "living commitment"—a document that merges theological reflections, doctrinal guidance, policy tools, and a robust accountability framework to guide religious actors across Christianity, Islam, and Traditional faiths.
“This framework is not to shame, but to empower. It is a call for transparency in our religious institutions, for survivor-centered care, and for the harmonization of our voices in the fight against GSBV,” he emphasized.
The LEAP Project: From Grassroots to Policy Impact
Giving an overview of the LEAP Project, Rev. Fr. Joseph Tile Nomhwange, Co-Secretary of IDFP and Co-Project Director, explained that the initiative targets four Nigerian states: Benue, Bauchi, Ekiti, and Kaduna.
“The project has mapped and elevated community actors, unified religious voices against SGBV, strengthened accountability systems, supported policy advocacy from the grassroots to government, and left behind replicable models for other regions,” he stated.
Next Steps and Replication
The compendium is expected to serve as both a reference and a roadmap for interfaith engagement against GSBV in other regions of Nigeria and West Africa. It affirms the role of faith leaders not only as spiritual guides but as advocates for human dignity, justice, and peace.
✝️☪️⛩️ Faith leaders from across Nigeria are saying NO to silence.
IDFP and UN Women have launched a powerful Compendium and Accountability Framework to END gender-based violence through faith, advocacy, and action.
🗣️ “Silence is no longer an option.”
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