Taking Domestive Violence to the Church for greater reachout

Background: The Week of Action Against Domestic Violence officially kicked off on Monday 13th October, 2014 in Lagos State with a Media Forum.

CHO started off her awareness raising campaign on Saturday 11th October, 2014 with the consent of the Head Priest to have this form part of the Homily in nine (9) Parishes within the Deanery viv-a-viz Surviving Mother-in-Laws Domestic Violence Issues – (Flash Brief information material was used to support the program). One beautiful thing about weddings is that people of all faith and denominations present were reached. Approximately, nine thousand to ten thousand (9000 – 10000) people were reached from the Pulpit.

On the 12th October, Domestic Violence is a Crime was again preached from the Pulpit (Flash Brief was used to support), booklets/stickers were distributed as well. At the Church level we gave out 3600 stickers (that is 400 per Church); 450 Flash Briefs on Surviving Mother-in-Law Issues (that is 50 per Church), and 450 Flash Briefs on Domestic Violence (50 each per Church). 100 copies of the Domestic Violence Directory given out too. Each of the nine (9) Parishes boasts of more than 5,650 members at all Masses bringing it to a total of 50,850 reached from the Pulpit on Sunday 12th Oct., 2014..

Campaign Objective:
a) To raise awareness about domestic violence,
b) To distribute information, education and communication (IEC) materials on Domestic Violence to groups, institutions, schools, organizations, markets and shops in Agege and other surrounding LGAs/LCDAs through the Church.
Activities undertaken: CHO organized a school briefing for three schools with pupils relieving experience and answering questions posed with close to 130 pupils in attendance.