Overview
The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed not just a public health emergency but also a "shadow pandemic" of gender-based violence (GBV) and human rights violations. As the world focused on viral containment, many Nigerian women and girls were trapped in cycles of abuse, with limited access to justice and protection.
In a country where over 84% of the population is religiously affiliated, Centre LSD, in partnership with Christian Aid and the Side by Side Movement, recognized that faith and traditional leaders are uniquely positioned to drive behavioral change. This project empowered them to challenge GBV and promote gender justice using scriptural legitimacy and cultural influence.
Project Rationale
Nigeria’s response to GBV during the pandemic largely excluded religious and traditional actors, yet these figures command authority across communities. Their silence or misinterpretation of doctrine often enabled harmful practices to persist under the radar.
This project sought to transform faith-based leadership from passive bystanders to proactive champions of gender justice, addressing cultural norms, theological misconceptions, and systemic inequality in real time.
Objectives
- Equip faith and traditional leaders with knowledge and tools to challenge GBV and promote gender equity
- Amplify gender justice messaging through faith-based platforms
- Engage policymakers and religious institutions to enact inclusive policies and practices
Implementation Strategy
Awareness Creation
- Disseminated Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials via Centre LSD’s media platforms
- Promoted GBV hotline services using social and traditional media
- Sparked conversations across online and offline platforms
Advocacy Engagements
- Held one-on-one advocacy meetings with key faith and traditional figures
- Engaged with policymakers and legislators on gender justice issues, including child marriage and inheritance rights
Capacity Building
- Conducted zonal trainings in North Central and Southeast regions
- Trained 84 leaders (14 traditional, 70 religious) on:
- The theological basis for gender justice
- Practical strategies for addressing GBV and harmful cultural practices
Research & Documentation
- Developed and disseminated faith-based sermon guides addressing:
- Child marriage
- Female genital mutilation (FGM)
- Girl-child education
- Inheritance and property rights
Collaboration & Coordination
- Mobilized major faith-based coalitions including CAN, JNI, FOMWAN, and WOWICAN
- Ensured integration of gender justice messages into religious teachings and congregational practices
Impact & Results
✅ Increased Capacity
Faith and traditional leaders are now more knowledgeable and equipped to address GBV and promote gender equality from a position of spiritual authority.
✅ Mainstreaming Gender Justice
Imams and pastors across project locations have begun to incorporate gender justice messages into sermons, shifting public perceptions within their communities.
✅ Policy Influence
- Kano and Kaduna States made policy adjustments to delay child marriage and enhance girl-child education, directly influenced by the project’s advocacy.
- Traditional rulers in Enugu State have committed to appointing more women into leadership roles.
✅ Expanded National Visibility
Through coordinated media campaigns, the project raised awareness of gender justice issues and showcased the power of faith-based advocacy in transforming cultural norms.
Success Stories
- Enugu State: Traditional institutions have opened up leadership spaces to women for the first time in recent history.
- Kano State: New policies delay child marriage and prioritize girls' education, thanks to sustained advocacy by trained religious leaders.
- Sermons Against GBV: In multiple states, imams and pastors now consistently use scripture to preach against domestic violence, FGM, and harmful traditional practices.
Conclusion
This project demonstrated that faith and tradition can be forces for liberation, not just preservation. When empowered with sound knowledge and platforms, religious and traditional leaders can become powerful agents of justice, amplifying the call to end GBV and advance gender equity in ways that resonate deeply with their communities.
This initiative has laid the foundation for a sustainable, faith-led movement for gender justice, one sermon, one village, one policy at a time.
