By Beatrice Gondyi
The Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) in partnership with UN Women, has formally launched a comprehensive Compendium and Accountability Framework for Faith Actors in Nigeria on preventing Gender and Sexual-Based Violence.
The launching which was held in Abuja yesterday was a guide towards ending sexual and gender based violence in the country.
The Co-chair, IDFP, Nigeria, Rev. Abainitus Akila Hamman Jr in his remarks, said the framework is not to shame, but to empower, in the fight against GSBV.
"This framework is not to shame, but to empower. It is a call for transparency in our religious institutions, for clear reporting pathways, for survivor-centered care, and for the harmonization of our voices across faith lines — Christian, Muslim, and Traditional — in the fight against GSBV".
“The launching of the Compendium and Accountability Framework for Faith Actors in Nigeria in our collective quest to end Gender and Sexual-Based Violence (GSBV)."
He said the launch is not just a document, but a living commitment — a compendium that brings together theological reflections, doctrinal guidance, policy recommendations, and most importantly, an accountability framework that binds us as religious actors to a higher standard of conduct and response.
"We owe this to our congregants. We owe this to our daughters. We owe this to God".
As the Co-chair of the Inter-Faith Dialogue Forum for Peace, I stand before you representing not just a platform of dialogue, but a movement of conscience — one that recognizes the sacred responsibility entrusted to religious leaders and institutions in shaping our moral values, protecting the vulnerable, and speaking truth to injustice.
He further explained that Gender and sexual-based violence is not merely a legal or societal issue — it is a moral crisis. It is a violation of the dignity endowed by the Creator to every human being. 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.
He called on faith leaders Christian, Muslim, and Traditional, 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.
The co-chair acknowledged IDFP invaluable partners, civil society organizations, international agencies, women-led networks, government ministries, and traditional rulers. for their expertise, courage, and collaboration have been instrumental in shaping this framework. We also honor the survivors, whose voices and resilience have guided this process. You are not alone. We see you. We hear you. We stand with you.
He charged fellow religious leaders to go back to their mosques, churches, temples, and shrines with renewed commitment. "Let us preach peace that begins at home. Let us teach our young men to honor women. Let us ensure our religious texts are not used as tools of oppression, but as sources of liberation and love.
"May this compendium serve as a beacon of hope, a blueprint for action, and a testament of faith in humanity. Together, with courage, consistency, and compassion, we can build a Nigeria where gender and sexual-based violence is not tolerated — not in our communities, not in our homes, and certainly not in the house of God".
The event marked the final activity under the LEAP Project—Faith and Traditional Leaders for Ending SGBV through Advocacy, Policy & Social Norms Change—a transformative journey that began with mapping key community actors in four states (Benue, Bauchi, Ekiti, and Kaduna), and expanded into rallies, accountability frameworks, byelaw development, and high-level advocacy.
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