OAIC Calls For Collective Efforts on Fight Against GBV

By Chinyere Abiaziem

The Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), has called for collective efforts in fighting digital violence against women and girls as well other forms of gender-based violence (GBV).

President of OAIC Nigeria Region, Baba Aladura Elder Israel Akinadewo, made the call at this year’s #16 DaysofActivism with the theme ‘Unite, Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls’, held on Sunday in collaboration with the UN Women at Motailatu Church Cherubium and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), Mayfair Gardens, Lagos.

At the event which also took place at selected branches of OAIC across the nation, Akinadewo who doubles as the Prelate of MCCSW, said there was need to intensify awareness on the dangers of GBV and protect women amd girls online.

“What we are doing is for us to emphasize, listen, emphasis on social media digital violence. You know, a lot of women have been undermined as a sort of social media issues, exposing their private lives and the rest.

“That’s why we are fighting it now, because the whole world has been digitalized. So, we want to ensure that before it gets out of hand, we educate people as to why they must observe ethics, ethical behaviors when they are dealing with technology. That is sadly the issue,” Akinadewo stated.

Urging for the prioritising and inclusion of discussions on GBV in schools curricula, he said, “We must continue to educate… In fact, I’m one of the people that think we should bring the issue of gender-based violence into the curriculum of the universities.

“Let us teach our students, even from the primary and secondary schools. By the time they get to their adulthood, then the issue would have been a bit eliminated.”

Also, he noted that despite the rate of moral decline in today’s world, the church would ensure it continues to speak up in protecting women and girls from perpetrators of evil even as their safety online was advocated.

“The church is not getting quiet, or keeping quiet, rather, the church is now educating. We are now telling people, that the church is a place of safety.The church is a place of security.

“So, the church will partner with government for us to be able to issue policies that will guide, that will protect our women and our girls,” Akinadewo stated.