A coalition of religious and traditional authorities has completed an intensive three-day campaign targeting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in secondary schools across Southeast Nigeria.
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The campaign, which concluded last week at the Union Secondary School in Awkunanaw, Enugu State, reached four schools across Anambra, Abia, and Enugu states between July 8-10. The initiative brought together respected community figures, including traditional rulers, pastors, and Catholic priests, to deliver direct anti-violence messaging to hundreds of teenage students.
A pivotal moment emerged during the Enugu session when a student posed a question that highlighted the fear many victims face: “What can one do when faced with threat to life, if he chooses to speak out after being sexually assaulted?” The inquiry prompted Rev. Fr. Mbabie to deliver what educators described as a defining response of the campaign.
“Your parents should be the first port of refuge. Confide in them. No one can kill you for speaking out when sexually harassed,” Rev. Fr. Mbabie told the assembled students.
The response appeared to resonate strongly with students, many of whom had remained silent during earlier portions of the presentation. Several students approached organisers afterwards to share personal reflections and commitments to use their new knowledge to protect peers from potential abuse.
The campaign was organised by the WABMA Foundation in partnership with what organisers call “Leaders of Faith and Culture” – a network that includes Pastor Echezona Izuchukwu Okafor of Spirit Life Christian Centre in Awka, Igwe Joel Maduadichie Egwuonwu of Umuawulu in Awka South, and HRM Eze Chisbuotu Emelike, the Ezimba of Eziama/Mgbaja Autonomous Community in Abia State.
The multi-leader approach reflected a strategic decision to leverage both spiritual and traditional authority in addressing cultural attitudes that often complicate SGBV reporting and prevention efforts in rural Nigerian communities.
School sessions covered SGBV prevention strategies, safe reporting mechanisms, and the documented links between substance abuse and increased sexual violence risk. The curriculum was specifically designed for teenage audiences, with leaders adapting their messaging to address the unique vulnerabilities faced by secondary school students.
Student feedback suggested the campaign achieved significant awareness gains, with many participants expressing increased confidence in their ability to recognise dangerous situations and seek appropriate help. The direct engagement format appeared particularly effective, allowing students to pose sensitive questions they might not raise in traditional classroom settings.
School administrators praised the initiative’s timing and approach. Principal of Union Secondary School in Awkunanaw, Ven. Dr. Moses Peter Ifeanyieze, specifically commended Rev. Fr. Mbabie’s participation, noting that religious leaders bring unique credibility to discussions of moral and safety issues among young people.
“He is representing the Christian faith in combating SGBV with integrity and action,” Ifeanyieze stated, reflecting broader appreciation among educators for faith-based involvement in violence prevention efforts.
The campaign targeted schools selected for their diverse student populations and geographic distribution across the three states. Holy Cross High School and Union Secondary School in Umuawulu, Awka South, represented the Anambra component, while Eziama Mgbaja Senior Secondary School covered Abia State participation.
The initiative represents an expansion of WABMA Foundation’s community-based approach to SGBV prevention, supported by Ford Foundation funding. Rather than relying solely on formal educational channels, the organisation has increasingly turned to trusted community figures to deliver sensitive messaging about violence and abuse.
The school outreach programme comes amid growing recognition that SGBV prevention requires early intervention and community-wide engagement. Nigerian education and health authorities have increasingly called for school-based programs that reach young people before harmful attitudes and behaviours become entrenched.
For the participating religious and traditional leaders, the campaign represented an opportunity to demonstrate community leadership on social issues that extend beyond their traditional roles.
WABMA Foundation officials indicated that positive student and administrator responses have generated requests for similar programs in additional schools across the region. The organisation is reportedly considering expansion of the leadership coalition model to other states in Nigeria’s Southeast and South-South regions.
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