The Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative (FOCEI), in partnership with the Women Aid Collective (WACOL), has tasked youths in Gombe State to be at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

The call was made by FOCEI Team Lead, Mr. Benjamin Maina, at the end of a one-day stakeholders’ entry engagement meeting with youth representatives in Gombe.

Maina urged the youths to break the culture of silence surrounding GBV, emphasizing the need for victims and their families to speak out. He also encouraged them to carry the lessons from the meeting to their communities and organisations, pledging FOCEI’s support for collaborative efforts.

The initiative, currently active in Liji and Zambuk communities, aims to empower Christian women and women cultural leaders to prevent and respond to GBV through strengthened grassroots organisations.

During the meeting, youths proposed strategies to combat GBV, including: