By Justina Auta
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and traditional leaders have pledged to strengthen prevention structures and enhance support systems for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
They made the commitment during a high-level sensitisation workshop on GBV prevention with the FCT Traditional Rulers’ Council, organised by UN Women and the FCTA Women Affairs Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.
The workshop forms part of the Advancing Advocacy, Policy, and Social Norms Change in Nigeria and West Africa (LEAP) project, implemented by UN Women with financial support from the Ford Foundation.
Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, FCTA Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs, highlighted traditional rulers’ vital role in reshaping harmful norms, strengthening grassroots action, and promoting accountability to end violence against women and girls.
Benjamins-Laniyi reaffirmed the FCTA’s commitment to strengthening prevention structures and survivor support systems across the FCT and urged all relevant stakeholders to actively champion the collective cause against gender-based violence.
Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, noted that in spite of existing laws like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, implementation gaps persisted in communities with entrenched harmful traditions.
Eyong emphasised the pivotal role of traditional institutions in transforming community attitudes and protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of women and girls throughout the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.
She stated, “Traditional rulers are custodians of culture, moral compasses, and agents of transformation. Let them rewrite norms and ensure community by-laws protect women and girls from violence.”
She added, “Let the FCT become a model of cultural transformation, where survivors find safety, communities uphold justice, and our shared heritage uplifts women and girls instead of harming them.”
Also speaking, Alhaji Adamu Baba-Yunusa, Ona of Abaji, represented by Alhaji Haruna Tanko-Jibrin, Gomo of Kuje, expressed traditional rulers’ unwavering commitment to championing the fight against gender-based violence.
“I am honoured to participate in this crucial workshop addressing an issue affecting our communities. We commend the FCTA and UN Women for facilitating this engagement with traditional leaders.
“We stand firmly in support of ongoing efforts to end gender-based violence across the FCT and Nigeria, and we pledge continued advocacy until the scourge is completely eradicated,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Lukas Ayedoo-Mizassan III, Etsu of Kwali, affirmed that traditional leaders were intensifying actions and collaborations to ensure harmful traditional practices were permanently eliminated from all communities.
“We are building a culture of reporting; responsiveness, and awareness, so families, lineages, and clans involved in harmful practices begin realising these acts are unacceptable constraints.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in attendance were traditional rulers from all six Area Councils, members of the media, and various stakeholders united in the ongoing struggle to eliminate gender-based violence within the FCT. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
