Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) can come from unexpected sources, and no one should be excluded from scrutiny, says Mrs. Nnenna Anozie, Community Mobilisation Officer at the Media Development Foundation.
Speaking at a training and community engagement event in Awka on Thursday, Anozie declared that “everyone is a suspect” when it comes to SGBV, emphasizing the pervasive nature of the crime.
The event was held under the Project Amplifying Voices of Leaders of Faith and Culture against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, organized by the foundation arm of the West African Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) and supported by the Ford Foundation.
Anozie described SGBV as crime committed against individuals based on their gender, often involving coercion, deception, cultural expectations, or economic manipulation. She highlighted various forms of the crime, including sexual harassment, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and human trafficking.
“Looking at statistics and what is happening in our society, ‘everyone is a suspect.’ Violence can stem from unexpected sources, often those within a survivor’s circle of trust,” she stated.
She stressed that perpetrators are often close relatives, colleagues, and trusted allies—fathers, uncles, mothers, brothers, and even spouses. She called for heightened vigilance and a shift away from assumptions that certain individuals or groups are incapable of such acts.
“As a society, it is important to be observant and vigilant, the assumptions about who might or might not commit such acts should not cloud judgment,” she said.
Beyond awareness, Anozie underscored the need for faith and cultural leaders to take a proactive role in addressing SGBV.
As key influencers in society, she said, they can help shape conversations, drive advocacy, and influence positive behavioral change.
Mrs. Chidiebere Njoku-Chukwu, Chief Operating Officer of WABMA, identified environmental factors, misinterpretation of religious and cultural norms, poverty, gender inequality, weak law enforcement, and drug abuse as major contributors to SGBV. She said the training aimed to equip participants with practical strategies for prevention, advocacy, and community engagement.
Dr. Ambrose Igboke, Chairman of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts, echoed the call for collective action. He urged the media to collaborate with faith leaders and civil society organizations to amplify awareness, foster accountability, and create safer communities.
“Addressing SGBV requires collective responsibility, education, and proactive measures to dismantle harmful norms and support survivors effectively,” Igboke said.
The training brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders from Christian and Muslim communities, civil society organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the media.
As the discussions highlighted, tackling SGBV goes beyond punishment—it demands a cultural shift, institutional accountability, and a community-driven commitment to ending the cycle of violence.