{"id":122880,"date":"2025-10-10T01:01:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T00:01:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=122880"},"modified":"2025-10-10T01:01:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T00:01:21","slug":"gbv-public-sin-violation-of-gods-image-says-head-of-civil-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/gbv-public-sin-violation-of-gods-image-says-head-of-civil-service\/","title":{"rendered":"GBV, Public Sin, Violation of God\u2019s Image, Says Head of Civil Service"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
By Oscar Okhifo<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, has described gender-based violence (GBV) as a public sin and a violation of God\u2019s image in humanity, calling on faith communities to take the lead in ending all forms of abuse.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Walson-Jack made the declaration while delivering a keynote address at a stakeholders\u2019 dialogue organized by the Anglican Compassion and Development Initiative (ACADI) in Abuja, themed \u201cGender-Based Violence Prevention in Faith-Based Spaces: Changing the Narrative.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
She lamented that many victims of gender-based violence often find no refuge within faith communities, where they are sometimes told to \u201cpray harder,\u201d \u201cforgive and forget,\u201d or \u201cendure for the sake of family,\u201d instead of receiving protection and justice.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cGender-based violence is not a private matter. It is a public sin. It is not cultural. It is immoral. It is not the will of God. It is a violation of His image in humanity,\u201d the head of service declared, quoting Genesis 1:27 to stress that both men and women are created in the image and likeness of God.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
She urged churches and other faith-based organizations to serve as safe havens for survivors and to challenge harmful cultural or religious interpretations that justify violence or oppression.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
According to her, the church has a moral responsibility to speak up and act decisively against gender injustice, ensuring that faith is not misused as a tool of subjugation.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Walson-Jack further emphasized the need to teach young men and boys that true masculinity is defined by service, respect, and responsibility, not domination or violence.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
She also called for greater collaboration between faith institutions, civil society, and government agencies to strengthen policies and support systems for survivors of GBV.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Commending ACADI and its partner, the Ford Foundation, for their advocacy, the Head of Service said such initiatives align with the federal government\u2019s broader efforts to promote inclusion, equality, and respect for human dignity.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cThe church must be a place of healing and hope, not of silence or shame,\u201d she added.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The event brought together clerics, women leaders, youth representatives, and policymakers who discussed practical strategies for preventing gender-based violence within faith-based spaces.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n