The Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative FOCEI has expressed determination to join forces with stakeholders aimed at ending the culture of silence exhibited by victims and relatives of persons who suffer Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Gombe State.

A baseline survey by FOCEI in Liji and Zambuk communities, all in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, has indicated that there is poor knowledge, attitude and practices on issues relating to the GBV.

From the report, there is an unhealthy culture of GBV, particularly, the attitude of silence exhibited by victims and their relatives whenever there is an occurrence. In most cases, these violations leaves victims or survivors traumatized and thus, negatively affecting the society in many ways.

Mr Benjamin Maina, is the Team Lead of FOCEI and he told our Correspondent that it is the report that triggered them into action in the two communities even though it is a pilot project that commenced in August 2025 and is expected to run for two years.

The report also triggered FOCEI into massive campaigns in radio stations using jingles, community drama as well as painting a lot of materials, posters, stickers on dangers of GBV and actions to be taken whenever there are cases of GBV.

The project is titled, “Empowering Christian Women and Women Leaders of Culture for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, through the Strengthening of Grassroots Organizations.”

However, during a stakeholders engagement with religious leaders, traditional leaders, women fellowships, and partners to strengthen collaboration and support GBV prevention and response in Liji and Zambuk communities, participants and members of the FOCEI team cross-fertilize ideas, highlighted incidents and made contributions towards mitigating the menace.

According to Maina, “our expected outcome from the baseline survey is to see a paradigm shift in Knowledge, Attitude and Practices.

“We want to see that people are knowledgeable concerning GBV. We want to see a paradigm shift in attitudinal change in people when it comes to GBV. We want to see the culture of silence broken. Whenever there is a case, it should be followed to its logical conclusion.

“In terms of practices, we want to see people practice good behaviour when it comes to GBV. We want it mitigated and eliminated in Gombe State.

“This culture of silence will not take us anywhere, we should not be keeping silent whenever we see a GBV being perpetuated. We should act, report, tell us, so that the victims can get good service and be helped and the perpetuators be brought to book”, Mr Maina appealed.

FOCEI is implementing the project in collaboration with Women Aid Collective (WACOL), an organisation based in Enugu State with several offices across Nigeria.

Also in attendance during the stakeholders engagement were representatives of NSCDC, the Nigeria Police, FIFA, FOMWAN, Women wing of CAN, traditional council of Zambuk that are women, the the District Head of Zambuk and representatives from the traditional council of Liji.

End.