Church leaders in Du, a southern district of Jos, have greater understanding of the sexual and gender violence their congregations are facing or have experienced following our workshop.

Forty church leaders from a range of congregations in Du participated in the Tearfund sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) workshop that was delivered by Jos volunteers and staff on 27 April.

They heard that almost 30 per cent of Nigerian women had experienced physical violence by the time they are 15 (Nigeria Demographic & Health Survey 2013) and this includes members of their own congregations.

In small groups the leaders mapped out what is happening in their local communities - the root causes of SGBV, the consequences for individuals and the community, and how different genders are treated.

Then they explored the character and behaviours of the perfect human being as modelled by Jesus in the gospels; looking at how he dealt with issues of sex and power and asking what is relevant for today in Du.

This Tearfund programme is designed to help faith leaders respond effectively to the causes of sexual exploitation and abuse of children, women and men – things like poverty, forced marriages, multiple sexual partners and declining cultural values.

“Church leaders said following the workshop they better understand the issues in their own churches and community and are now committed to addressing them from a scriptural perspective and in Jesus' love,” said Tassie Ghata.