The Diocese of Ifo recently held a training session to equip its community with the skills to address and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) within the church and society.
The training, which took place on August 21, 2025, was a collaborative effort between the diocese and the Anglican Compassion and Development Initiative (ACADI).
Led by Ven. Tolu Akinwande, the Lagos Provincial GBV Coordinator for ACADI, the training aimed to foster a transformative response to violence.
Members of the GBV team in Ifo included clergy, a police officer, a medical professional, and representatives from the youth and legal teams.
Participants engaged in various modules covering many points, from the importance of understanding gender concepts and how they relate to GBV, to Identifying risk factors that make women and girls vulnerable.
They also discussed developing a multi-sectoral response plan for survivors and biblical perspectives on gender-based violence.
The Diocesan, the Rt. Rev’d. Nathaniel Oladejo Ogundipe, thanked the leadership of the Church of Nigeria for this “life-saving initiative,” which is supported by the Ford Foundation.
“Thank you for your innovative leadership of the church for bringing to light such a lifesaving initiative with the support of the Ford Foundation,” he said.
The church is appealing to all members and the wider community to “break the silence” and speak out against violence, regardless of the abuser’s social class, gender, or title.
For those in need of assistance, the Diocesan Emergency Help Lines are: 08032299034 and 08069019801.
