The development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), with support from the Ford Foundation, led an advocacy visit to the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria, to present key findings and advocate for stronger collaboration on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and women’s empowerment.
The high-level delegation included Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs), Traditional Leaders, a representative of the Ford Foundation, and the dRPC team. The visit served as a platform to highlight ongoing faith-based and evidence-driven efforts toward ending GBV and promoting women’s inclusion in governance and development.
Faith Leaders Unite Against Gender-Based Violence
Delivering a speech on behalf of the Muslim Opinion Leaders, Imam Ma’aruf Kolawole Raji, Chief Imam of NASFAT Mosque, Jabi, Abuja, reaffirmed the collective resolve of Islamic scholars to leverage faith teachings for social transformation.
He stated that GBV remains one of the most persistent threats to the safety, dignity, and well-being of women and girls in northern Nigeria, where poverty, conflict, and cultural barriers exacerbate their vulnerability.
Imam Ma’aruf highlighted the ongoing work of the Muslim Opinion Leaders GBV Prevention Project, implemented by dRPC with support from the Ford Foundation, which engages respected Islamic scholars to challenge harmful norms and promote messages of peace, compassion, and justice rooted in Qur’anic and ḥadīth teachings.
Through this initiative, more than 150 scholars and opinion leaders have been trained and mobilized to speak against GBV, deliver faith-based messages across mosques and radio stations, and collaborate with Hisbah Boards and State Ministries of Women Affairs to ensure survivors receive timely support.
Minister Commends Initiative, Calls Women the ‘Heartbeat of the Nation’
In her remarks, the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development commended the dRPC and its partners for engaging faith and traditional leaders in the campaign against GBV. She emphasized that women are the heartbeat of the nation and must be the number one beneficiaries of democracy — in access to empowerment, leadership, and opportunities.
“Women and girls must not be raped or abused. And this also includes men – no one deserves violence or humiliation,” the Minister stated.
She called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society, and faith institutions to ensure that justice, protection, and empowerment reach those who need them most.
Evidence for Action: Women in Politics Research Presented
During the visit, the Director of Projects, dRPC, presented another major research output on Women in Politics in Nigeria. The study examines barriers to women’s political participation and offers policy recommendations for creating a more inclusive and equitable political landscape.
The Minister expressed appreciation for dRPC’s continued efforts to produce actionable research that informs policy and strengthens advocacy for women’s rights and leadership.
A Shared Vision for a Safer, Fairer Society
The advocacy visit reaffirmed dRPC’s commitment to advancing gender equality, social inclusion, and justice through partnerships that bridge faith, policy, and community engagement. With the continued support of the Ford Foundation and collaboration with faith and traditional leaders, the dRPC remains dedicated to promoting Behavioural change and ensuring that women and girls live free from all forms of violence and discrimination.
