GBV
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakalikii, June 8, 2024(NAN) The Health and Community Development Initiative of The Anglican Diocese of Abakaliki, has sought the collaboration of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in its efforts to tackle Gender-Based Violence (GBV), in Ebonyi.
The Group’s Project Coordinator, Rev. Chukwunonye Umeokafor, sought the collaboration when he led a delegation on an advocacy visit to the NAN office in Abakalikii.
Umeokafor said the group intends to contribute to the fight to prevent GBV which is a major factor responsible for instability in many homes, workplaces, schools, among others.
“Several men and women engage in GBV knowingly and unknowingly which affects the children raised in such homes.
“Our advocacy is unique because we correct the notion that only men perpetrate GBV as women are also involved.
“We are here to seek the collaboration of NAN to disseminate messages of our activities being a critical stakeholder in news dissemination in the country,” he said.
The team leader said that the group had formed youth clubs in schools, engaged stakeholders through participatory meetings, knowledge and capacity building outreaches, among other channels.
“We carry out Archdeaconry and Parish outreaches and my team is drawn from various Parishes and Archdeaconries under the Anglican Diocese of Abakaliki.
“The members step down our messages to various Parishes and Archdeaconries to ensure that the congregations say no to GBV,” he said.
He said that the group was working in collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental agencies in propagating preventive messages on GBV.
“We are in touch with the pet project of the Ebonyi governor’s wife, and the state ministries of women affairs and justice. We are also working with relevant security agencies, among others.
“We need more peaceful homes and workplaces and this can be achieved when people’s rights and privileges are duly respected,” he said.
The State Correspondent of NAN in Ebonyi, Chukwuemeka Opara, thanked the group for the visit and assured the delegation that the agency would collaborate with it toward achieving set goals.
“We shall work together to identify roles NAN can play in disseminating life uplifting messages.
“We find this task mportant being the flagship of news dissemination in the country.
“The agency is poised to play leading roles in reshaping the country through accurate and objective news dissemination,” he said.
He added that the NAN office would continue to collaborate with individuals and groups interested in uplifting the welfare of the masses.
NAN reports that members of the group also spoke on its activities toward preventing GBV in the state and country. (NAN) (NAN news.ng)
UVU/RCO/ETS
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