UNICEF Tasks Christian Leaders On Gender based violence

Chiemeka ADINDU, Calabar

UNICEF Chief field officer in Nigeria, Mohammed Okorie has enjoined leaders of Christian denominations to take definite stand against sexual and gender based violence in Nigeria in order to end the menace.
According to him, the passive posture of the church against the various harmful and cultural practices targeted at women and the girl-child was counter productive to global efforts meant to tackle the issue.
Okorie who stated this in Calabar when he flagged off a two day stakeholders meeting of Christian Council of Nigeria powered by the EU- UN Spotlight Initiative said the church must wield its overwhelming influence over the harmful and discriminatory treatment being meted out to the female gender if maximum impact is to be achieved in ending the menace.
The UNICEF envoy disclosed that stakeholders engagement was designed to equip participants with vital skills and information needed to address the challenge of SGBV as well as mobilised the church hierarchy towards eradicating the the threat to women and girls with balanced and objective bible interpretations devoid of generic bias .

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In his address, chairman of the state chapter of Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN, which is a component of the Christian Association Of Nigeria, CAN, Reverend Takis Caifas expressed delight at the collaboration aimed at confronting the age long deprivation suffered by the women folk based on inhuman theological doctrine and degrading cultural practices.
He described sexual and gender based violence as a horrific and grave violation of human rights which should not be tolerated in any ramification.
Speaking, the General Secretary, CCN, Reverend Evans Onyemara listed such act of violence to include physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and psychological abuses as well as unequal access to educational opportunities which have combined to frustrate the female gender from maximising their potentials
He expressed optimism that the synergy would address the multiple biblical misconception employed in perpetuating harmful and dehumanizing practices targeted at women and the girl child for ages.
In her remark, a leading resource person at the event Mrs Uzuaku Williams implored participants to rise a voice against abusive practices women are being subjected to under the guise of culture and lopsided doctrine within the Christian fold.