By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Zamani Foundation is collaborating with religious and traditional leaders to fight against sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) and other related offences such as divorce.
The founder of the foundation, Mrs Talatu Zamani disclosed in an opening remarks at the dialogue and engagement session of religious and traditional leaders on preventing and responding to SGBV, during the celebration of 16th days of activism of Zamani foundation in kaduna state.
Earlier, the religious leaders said they’re also considering modifications of pre-marital classes with a view to institute important ingredients that would assist in reducing rampant cases of divorce in the society.
The religious leader who are mostly Christian also canvassed extension of courtship time to, at least six years period before couples get marriage, adding that doing so would enable both Party’s families to enquire and know more about themselves.
A revered, Mr Solomon U. Hedima of House on the Rock church, told our correspondent in an interview at the end of the session that they’ve made test results for blood group, genotype and other compulsory test before any marriage covenant held.
The leaders suggested that all questions relating to couples character and purpose of the marriage be asked within the period of courtship by intending couples and their families.
The Christian leaders conceded that there’s need for fiancee to asked all contending questions during relationship in form of character temperament, financially brokeage, sex satisfaction (erection) among others”, which they said constituted vast majority of problems mostly encountered as responsible for divorce and broken homes among couples.
According to them Fathers and mother’s roles should be clearly defined towards their daughters and sons, to the avoid temptations.
Earlier, the organiser and founder of the foundation, Mrs. Zamani said, working with SGBV over the years, made her to realized that these issues have been of serious concerned.
The founder said she decided to gather stakeholders like religious and traditional leaders realizing that they’ve very important and played major roles in resolving the problem especially the rampant cases of divorce.
Mrs Zamani also said she noticed with dismay, the rates of raping and defilement of children, domestic violence against women, divorcee among other vices, adding that it has become so alarming in the society.
She said she herefore decided to bring the stakeholders in dialogue session to discussed and find lasting solution to reduced, prevent and how to respond to the problems.
She stressed the need to look at the marriage counselling in the church’s, noting that a lot of couples don’t undertook the counselling before the marriage proper, is held.
Also the issue of premarital counseling registrar to ensure that they signed undertaking never to lay hands on eachother, no matter the offence and anger. Were discussed accepted.
Some churches had already been reviewed and done, according some religious leaders, who said even though some decisions are out of biblical injunction, they were necessary to prevent domestic violence and divorcees.
On SGBV, Zamani commended the state for putting castration law in place, she however expressed surprised why nobody has been castrated since inception, as the pastors said they will organize programs that will focus on SGBV, and divorce.
