JDPC-CWSI: Inter-Religious Coalition Fights GBV, Discrimination, Prioritizing Nigeria's Most Vulnerable.

 -By Ruben Mario Brodrick

Benin City, Nigeria – In a significant stride towards fostering a more just and equitable society, the Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City has again joined forces with the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) to host a pivotal two-day Women's Empowerment capacity building workshop.

 This training focuses on the crucial advocacy against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and discrimination as part of the project’s second year.

The workshop, held recently at the Archdiocesan Chancery Hall in Benin City, was expertly facilitated by Mr. Samuel Akorokpor and Edith Ugwu. This collaboration marks the continuation of a year-long initiative titled "Women Religious (Nuns) as Collaborators with the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) to eliminate violence and discrimination against Women and Girls in Nigeria," generously funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

A Unified Front for Change:

The training brought together a powerful, multi-stakeholder coalition. Participants included major lay groups like the Catholic Women Organisation, Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria, and the Confraternity of Catholic Christian Mothers, alongside other groups under the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

 Crucially, representatives from the Islamic Religious body and the Traditional Institution were also in full attendance, demonstrating a broad, interfaith commitment to the cause.

The sessions were packed with vital information, covering topics like "Human rights and Gender-Based Violence," "Effective Advocacy," "Understanding Intergenerational Dialogue," and "Effective Community Mobilization." 

The aim is to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and practical tools necessary to strengthen community mobilization towards the eradication of all forms of violence and injustice across the targeted Benin and Abuja Ecclesiastical Provinces.

A Moral and Spiritual Calling:

The proceedings began with a powerful message from the Executive Director of JDPC Benin, Rev Fr Benedict Onwugbenu, who commended the organizers and extended gratitude to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and CWSI.

Fr. Onwugbenu emphasized that the gathering had a shared purpose—to affirm and advance a collective responsibility to end all forms of violence and discrimination. He stated that the goal is a "moral imperative and a spiritual calling, deeply rooted in the values of justice, compassion, and human dignity." He further noted that the initiative "reflects the JDPC commitment to tackle the existence of challenges of gender based violence and discrimination by continuing to undermine the wellbeing and potential of women in the society."

Highlighting the Most Vulnerable

A critical component of the training was the focused discussion on the severe discrimination and abuse faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs), who were recognized as the most depressed and oppressed group in the community.

Facilitator Mr. Samuel Akorokpor shared a sobering observation: "Of all (forms of discrimination) we have mentioned, the community of persons with disability are the most abused; the persons with disability that is sick, the person with disability that is elderly, the person with disability that is a young girl; and those of different category is suffering from first stage neglect." He described this neglect as a first degree of deprivation.

However, Akorokpor offered a strong message of dignity and inclusion: "the persons with disabilities are not in a condition, that is what God has made them; they are not sick, they think and feel as you... whatever we want to do, they do it as well in the same way, only that in physical appearance they do not look fit." The training championed ways to build the confidence of PWDs and ensure they become fully part of the community through the creation of strong relationships.

The Power of Unexpected Influence

Mr. Akorokpor also provided a valuable lesson on community advocacy, pointing out that true influence often comes from unexpected sources. He noted that the persons considered least, such as "Gate Men, Cook, Driver," and so on "are the greatest influences you have in your domestic allies."

 He assured participants that being friendly with them "will open doors and build healthy relationships."

A Call to Be Agents of Change

The project, which runs until May 31, 2026, anticipates a "Ripple Effect of Change," enhancing the capacity of Women Religious and CWO members to take concrete action, intervene on issues of violence, and proffer solutions.

Speaking at the close of the workshop, JDPC Benin representative, Mrs. Anna Ewesiobi Chibuzor encouraged participants to step up, saying: "So much is happening and we need to be the agent of change, tell someone to tell someone that we can have a safer society."