By Solomon OKPO
The Anglican Compassion and Development Initiative (ACADI), the social intervention arm of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has stepped up its nationwide campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), urging the church community to confront the menace head-on.
Speaking during a sensitisation programme in Uyo, Venerable Dr. Uzoma, Desk Officer of the initiative, alongside Dr. Augustina Ijeshie, a public health physician, and Brother Kenneth Bassey, emphasised the need to address societal gender norms and the root causes of violence that threaten families and communities.
ACADI, established and registered in July 2021 with its headquarters in Abuja, operates across 164 dioceses of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria. Since inception, it has championed social causes, including its pilot project — the Nigerian Anglican War Against Drug Addiction and Abuse (NAWADAA) — aimed at combating substance abuse among youths and church members.
With support from partner organisations, ACADI is now driving the Church of Nigeria Gender-Based Violence Prevention Project (CoN GBV Prevent). According to Dr. Uzoma, the programme is not just about advocating for women but also recognising that men and children suffer various forms of abuse.
“Our focus is on fostering peaceful coexistence in families. We are not preaching equality in the secular sense but harmony in the home, where husbands, wives, and children live out their God-given potential without fear of abuse,” Uzoma said.
The initiative has already conducted sensitisation programmes across the Diocese of Uyo, engaging Christian Men’s Fellowship, Women’s Conferences, Youth groups, and Sunday School teachers. Pastors are also receiving training to help identify, prevent, and respond to cases of abuse within their congregations.
Dr. Ijeshie added that the church, as a faith-based organisation, cannot shy away from social realities. “The church is not immune to these issues, and so it must play an active role in lessening the prevalence of violence in society,” she noted.
ACADI reaffirmed its commitment to spreading the campaign across all dioceses of the Anglican Communion, advocating peace, safety, and dignity for all.
