In a bold step toward promoting dignity, respect, and equality, the Catholic Church in Nigeria, through Caritas Nigeria, has launched the Abuja Archdiocesan Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Catholic Action for Respect and Equality (CARE) Project, a gender-based violence (GBV) prevention initiative supported by the Ford Foundation. The inauguration took place on October 24 at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Church, Abuja.
Delivering the opening remarks, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja, praised the Church’s unwavering commitment to advancing human dignity. He emphasized that the CARE Project aligns with the Church’s mission to uphold the sanctity of life and equality, affirming that every person, regardless of gender, is made in the image of God and deserves equal respect, opportunity, and protection.
Charles Aneni, Senior Programme Manager at Caritas Nigeria, presented an overview of the CARE Project and explored the concept of gender. He outlined how Church sodalities can collaborate with relevant stakeholders to prevent GBV and foster a culture of inclusion. His presentation set the stage for the official inauguration of the TWG, which will serve as a strategic body to drive the project’s goals within the Archdiocese.
The newly inaugurated TWG, chaired by Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni, PhD, Director of the Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiative, held its first official meeting immediately after the launch. The session, facilitated by Charles Aneni and Chukwuemeka Ezeta, Executive Manager of Programs, focused on developing effective collaboration and communication strategies to guide the group’s work.
In her vote of thanks, Sr. Cor Jesu Maria Eke, Secretary of the Family and Human Life Unit at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, expressed deep gratitude to Archbishop Kaigama for his fatherly support. She also acknowledged the leadership of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria and Caritas Nigeria for their continued efforts in strengthening Church structures that promote human dignity and social justice across the country
