The Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative (FOCEI) has collaborated with the Women Aid Collective (WACOL) to engage church and women leaders in a bid to sustain the fight against gender-based violence in some Gombe communities. The meeting, held on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening grassroots efforts towards preventing and responding to GBV through stakeholder dialogue.
During the meeting, stakeholders were presented with successes achieved by the project in the last one year, as well as the development of community action plans to strengthen the efforts. FOCEI, through the support of WACOL, had been engaging faith and community leaders in Lijji and Zambuk communities, Yamaltu-Deba LGA, towards bringing practical actions for gender equality, safer communities, and protection of women and girls.
Team Lead of FOCEI, Dr. Benjamin Maina, emphasized the importance of stakeholders working together with a shared responsibility to challenge harmful traditional practices, strengthen community action, and build a future free from gender-based violence. The meeting brought together leaders from some churches in Zambuk and Lijji communities, including leadership of women fellowships in the same communities.
The stakeholders brainstormed on the midline survey report of 2026, which showed considerable successes in awareness and response to GBV in the two communities. The targeted 200 women and girls were reached during 2026, and their capacities were built on GBV. The same number is being targeted for the following year.
Rev. Iliya Baba, a Pastor in the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Liji, shared his thoughts on the impact of the engagement on his congregation. He plans to use some of his preaching schedules to speak about GBV and educate his congregation on how to make survivors speak and get help and justice.
Rev. Baba called on all Christians to stand for the truth and demanded that justice be applied to all perpetrators of GBV, regardless of their position. He emphasized that leaders in every aspect must be faithful in their duties and put in efforts to ensure that the menace of GBV is reduced to the barest minimum.
The engagement of church and women leaders is expected to have a positive impact on the fight against GBV in Gombe communities. The collaboration between FOCEI and WACOL aims to create a safer and more supportive environment for women and girls.
Key points
- FOCEI and WACOL collaborate to engage church and women leaders in Gombe to sustain fight against gender-based violence.
- The meeting aimed at strengthening grassroots efforts towards preventing and responding to GBV through stakeholder dialogue.
- The engagement targets 200 women and girls in 2026 and plans to reach the same number in the following year.
