Leaders of faith and culture from Nigeria’s South-East region are set to gather in Enugu on October 31, 2024, for the inaugural town hall meeting aimed at addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Over 100 traditional, faith-based, and cultural leaders, along with civil society and media organizations, will participate in the event, organized by the WABMA Media Development Foundation with support from the Ford Foundation.
“SGBV is deeply ingrained in our society, and addressing it requires transformative changes in our cultural and faith-based practices. We need these leaders to speak more and louder about this issue when it matters. We also need to showcase traditional and faith-based leaders who are already at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence and whose personal lives exemplify the needed change,” said Mr. Odoh Diego Okenyodo, Coordinator of WABMA’s Amplifying the Voices of Leaders of Faith and Culture Project.
Dr. Ken Ike Okere, Executive Director of the WABMA Foundation, added, “Addressing SGBV through the voices of influential leaders of faith and culture would catalyze meaningful social change; their amplified messages can shift the narrative and inspire action against sexual and gender-based violence.”
The town hall marks a key milestone in efforts to combat SGBV in Nigeria, highlighting the influential role faith and cultural leaders play in shaping societal values.
The WABMA Foundation, the non-profit arm of the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA), leverages media to address pressing social issues in West Africa. Through projects in collaboration with organizations like GIZ, the US Consulate in Lagos, and Christian Aid Nigeria, WABMA has made strides in combating SGBV, fostering media literacy, and strengthening community resilience. The organization’s extensive history of impactful projects positions it as a vital force in driving media-led social transformation across West Africa.
