- Harps on love, tolerance
By Ebube J. Yeolawa
In a bid to address the prevalence of Gender-Based Violence within and outside the home, Revd. Innocent Ukperegbulem, the Vicar of Anglican Church of Divine Love, Ali-Okpu, Agbor, Delta State, has called for the urgent need to address the challenges women face in the process.
Revd. Ukperegbulem gave the charge on Sunday, May 18, 2025, during an enlarged meeting with church members and members of the public which was climaxed by interactive session, with the men arguing that the women are not alone in the trend as they are affected too.
They argued that many initiatives like feminism which preaches gender-equality and other initiatives brought about through civilization has so much promoted the interest of women while sidelining and relegating the men. They noted that laws in UK for instance, favours the feminine gender while relegating men’s rights.
Revd. Ukperegbulem, however, disclosed that the sensitization programme was part of the Church of Nigeria’s (Anglican-Communion) initiative under the Anglican Compassion and Development Initiative (ACADI) and sponsored by the Ford Foundation to eradicate gender-based violence.
According to him, “This issue affects countless women worldwide, with one in three experiencing violence in their lifetime,” saying that the sentization serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and collective action in addressing the complex issues surrounding gender-based violence.
He highlighted key issues in gender-based violence to range from domestic violence; which he noted its prevalence often hidden behind closed doors and masked by societal expectations.
Others he noted include: fertility and childbearing, stressing that men must take an active role in understanding these issues and work towards creating a more equitable society.
Continuing, he noted that the lecture aligns with global efforts to combat gender-based violence while working to raise awareness against the pervasive trend.
The Man of God noted that the trend can be minimized through community support systems; through awareness and education about the signs of abuse and the importance of healthy relationships, and advocating for policies and laws that protect women’s rights and promote equality.
