Group charges faith-based women to be agents of change, gender justice

Nigerian Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (NINERELA+), on Monday charged women of various faith organisations to be agents of change to drive home societal gender justice.

Ms Amber Erinmwinhe, National Coordinator of the group, gave the charge during a dialogue with faith based women in Abuja.

Reports state the dialogue, in commemoration of the International Women’s Month was organised by NINERELA+ in partnership with Christian Aid, UK, Nigeria.

Erinmwinhe called on women to stand up against obnoxious cultures and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation using their influence as role models.

She expressed confidence in the capability of women to engender positive changes in the society against Gender Based Violence (GBV) and other harmful practices.

“Faith based women can always bring about gender justice by using their position to speak against female genital mutilation and shaving of widows hair,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Obele Oluchukwu, State Programme Manager, Christian Aid, UK, Nigeria, described women as very important personalities in the societies.

Oluchukwu urged them to use their position to bring about the desired amendments and changes to their own advantage in the society.

Mr Ikenna Nwakamma, Programme Manager, NINERELA+ urged the Faith based female religious leaders to always promote gender justice through their platforms.

Nwakamma described faith based women organisations as powerful groups with influence to address issues of women empowerment, gender based violence and elimination of harmful norms and practices.

He reiterated the determination of his group to continue to build the level of solidarity among women of faith to impact positively in the lives and wellbeing of women.