On October 19, 2024, a group of women lawyers in Nigeria called for the involvement of clergies in the fight against gender-based violence. According to a report by Punch NG, these women lawyers believe that religious leaders have a significant role to play in combating this issue.
The women lawyers emphasized that clergies, including pastors and imams, have a large following and influence within their communities. They argued that if these religious leaders use their platforms to speak out against gender-based violence, it could lead to a significant reduction in such cases.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to engage various sectors of society in addressing the pervasive problem of gender-based violence. By involving clergies, the women lawyers hope to reach a wider audience and change societal attitudes that often perpetuate such violence.
The call for clergy involvement underscores the need for a multi-faceted approach to tackle gender-based violence, which includes legal, social, and religious interventions.