Church must remain relevant, combat GBV — Bishop Yahaya

 

 The Bishop of the Kaduna Diocese of the Anglican Church, Most Rev. Timothy Yahaya in a group photograph with the newly inaugurated members of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Committee of the Kaduna Diocese

By Moses Kolo

The Bishop of the Kaduna Diocese of the Anglican Church, Most Rev. Timothy Yahaya, has urged religious leaders to ensure that the Church remains relevant in society by taking a firm stand against gender-based violence (GBV).

Yahaya, who stated this on Thursday in Kaduna while inaugurating the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Committee of the Diocese in Kaduna.

The Clergy said the Church could not afford to turn its face the other way while individuals and families suffered the impact of violence.

He said: “The leadership of the church needs to know that if the church is not relevant in the society, then it has lost its value as such, nobody should turn their face the other way.

He noted that both pastors and imams must be educated on GBV, as ignorance was not an excuse for inaction or abuse, adding, "some people may be unleashing violence in their homes without knowing it is wrong. 

"If we continue to turn our eyes the other way, it will consume us,” he warned.

Yahaya called on all denominations and religious groups, including the Muslim community, to join hands in educating people about the dangers of gender-based violence and in promoting peaceful family life.

“Today, individuals are bleeding and crying because of gender-based violence. Children who are supposed to be blessings are traumatised by what they see among their parents,” he said.

The Bishop lamented the rising cases of family conflict and domestic abuse, stressing that GBV was not limited to physical harm alone but also included emotional, sexual, and economic forms of abuse.

“There are many ways to commit gender-based violence. A wife can decide to deny her husband sex, and that is violence. A man can also refuse to provide food at home because of conflict  that too is violence,” he said.

Yahaya said the newly inaugurated committee would work with both faith-based and secular organisations to promote awareness and curb the growing threat of GBV.

“We know we cannot solve the entire problem, but this committee is a step forward to contribute our quota. We will sensitise both church members and non-church people that violence is not the way,” he said.

He stressed the need for society to uphold morality, decency, and love for one another, adding that conflicts should be resolved through dialogue rather than “brutal force, verbal abuse, or economic control.”

“As this committee grows, we will continue to liaise with agencies and organisations across all religions to ensure that gender-based violence does not destroy our society,” Yahaya added.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, the Desk Officer, Rev. Victor Eboh, said the body’s vision was to build a Diocese where dignity, safety, and equality are upheld as Christian and social values.

He said the mission of the committee was to promote awareness, prevention, and response mechanisms to all forms of gender-based violence within the Church and surrounding communities.

Rev. Eboh explained that the committee would train clergy, lay leaders, and parishioners on survivor-centred response, while providing pastoral care, counselling, and referrals for victims.

“Our mandate is to protect dignity and restore hope. The Church must continue to be a safe space and a voice for the vulnerable,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee, Rev. Izuchukwu Oziogu, expressed appreciation to the Bishop for the confidence reposed in the team, acknowledging the magnitude of the task ahead.

He prayed for divine wisdom to enable the committee fulfil its mandate and pledged that the team would work diligently to meet expectations.

Oziogu reaffirmed that the committee would collaborate with relevant agencies, including the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), civil society organisations, and faith-based groups to tackle the menace.

In a goodwill message, the Kaduna State Coordinator of the NHRC, Mr. Terngu Hear, commended the Diocese for taking a bold step toward addressing gender-based violence.

He said the Commission was committed to supporting initiatives that protect human dignity and promote peaceful coexistence.

“We cannot live in denial of the issues of gender-based violence in our society. The Commission is committed to protecting the rights of everyone, regardless of gender,” Hear said.

He called for stronger partnerships between faith-based institutions and human rights bodies to create safer and more equitable communities. (NAN)