From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
Religious and traditional leaders have been challenged to be in the vanguard of campaigns to end digital violence against women and girls in Nigeria and Benue State.
This is just as it is gathered that 83 percent of women are violated through digitally with 1 in every 3 girl also, violated through digital violence in Nigeria.
These issues came to the fore at a one day training organized by Side-by-Side Interfaith movement for pastors/imams as well as traditional rulers in Makurdi as part of the 16 days activitism to end the menace of digital violence against women and girls.
Co-chairman of the movement Archibishop Cephas Okwori maintained that religious and traditional leaders act as gate keeper with trust and moral mandate bestowed on them, adding that they are mentors saddled with the responsibility to influence, bridge gaps and mobilize their members and subjects against digital violence.
He urged them to denounce digital violence openly, preach and communicate about it.
Archbishop Okwori said they must organize digital literacy and provide digital engagement for the youth and women.
He said, “you must integrate talks against digital violence in your sermons while the traditional rulers who are a vital link between the rural communities and government should ensure that policies put in place by government have cultural values for the people.
” I urge you to speak on the consequences of digital violence and bullying but restrain from been perpetrators. Be amplifiers of community voice. You should also, collaborate with local and international networks in the fight against this criminal act.
“As leaders, you should adopt the LEAP approach of learn, empathize, affirm and provide support for victims of digital violence”.
