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Mitigating the prevalence of domestic violence in Nigeria: an ecclesial and pastoral leadership response

Domestic violence is a phenomenon that knows no boundaries of race, color, age, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, religion or culture. Its pervasiveness varies from place to place depending on several factors including socio-cultural dynamics and values. Researches indicate that Nigeria, like most Sub-Saharan African nations, has a high rate of domestic violence. Victims who are mostly women and children are battered, sexually abused, raped and sometimes murdered. The socio-cultural beliefs and patriarchal dominance serve to sustain the phenomenon, which is a gross violation of victims’ human dignity and rights, and a major factor to women’s high rate of morbidity and mortality. We have designed this project to confront the inherent socio-cultural bias that breeds this gendered structure of evil. It challenges the Nigerian Church’s complacency and complicity in the whole matter. We argue that domestic violence is an ecclesial and theological issue, and that the church’s adequate theological and pastoral response will mitigate the high rate of the phenomenon in Nigeria. The study suggests a different attitude to pastoral ministry that would bring about the desired transformation. Preaching, pastoral counseling, and a ministry for abused victims and general holding church environment are practical pastoral measures proposed to fill the gap.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/44458
Date18 May 2022
CreatorsOgbuji, Henry Onwusoro
ContributorsMenendez-Antuna, Luis, Manglos-Weber, Nicolette
Source SetsBoston University
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis/Dissertation

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