From Our Correspondent, Awka
Awka, Feb. 21,’25 (TNZ) The Media Development Foundation (MDF), an NGO, has advocated a strong measure to curtail incidences of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), saying ‘everyone is a suspect’.
TheNewsZenith reports that Mrs Nnenna Anozie, Community Mobilisation Officer of the foundation, made the advocacy at a training and community engagement, on Thursday in Awka, Anambra State.
Our Correspondent gathered that the foundation organised the training under the Project Amplifying Voices of Leaders of Faith and Culture against Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
MDF is an arm of the West African Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) and is supported by the Ford Foundation.
According to Anozie, no one can be excluded from scrutiny due to the pervasive nature of such violence.
She described SGBV as violence committed against a person because of his/her gender.
“This is by way of forcing another person to do something against his or her will through violence, coercion, threats, deception, cultural expectations or economic means,” she said.
Anozie identified sexual harassment, child marriage, female genital mutilation and human trafficking as some of the acts of violence.
“Looking at statistics and what is happening in our society, ‘everyone is a suspect’.
“Violence can stem from unexpected sources, often those within a survivor’s circle of trust.
“We see fathers, uncles, wives, mothers, brothers, close relatives, colleagues and trusted allies perpetrating these acts of violence.
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“As a society, it is important to be observant and vigilant. The assumptions about who might or might not commit such acts should not be biased judgment,” TheNewsZenith quotes Anozie as saying.
She stressed the need to strengthen the role of leaders of faith and culture in addressing SGBV.
Leaders of faith and culture, she added, are critical influencers and models in society.
Mrs Chidiebere Njoku-Chukwu, Chief Operating Officer, WABMA, also spoke at the event.
Njoku-Chukwu highlighted some of the causes of SGBV. They include environment, misinterpretation of religion and culture, poverty, gender inequality, weak enforcement of the law and drug abuse as
The COO said the training would equip participants with practical strategies for SGBV prevention, advocacy and media collaboration to enhance visibility.
Dr Ambrose Igboke, Chairman, Guild of Public Affairs Analyst, spoke on the need to amplify the issues of SGBV, to get everyone aware.
Igboke urged the media to work with leaders of faith, culture and civil society organisations to encourage awareness and accountability.
He also called for a commitment to creating a safe environment for everyone.
“Addressing SGBV requires collective responsibility, education and proactive measures to dismantle harmful norms and support survivors effectively,” TheNewsZenith quotes him as saying. (TNZ)
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