West African conventional, non secular leaders pledge to finish GBV, dangerous practices
By Justina Auta
West Africa conventional and religion leaders have pledged to finish Gender Based mostly Violence (GBV) and dangerous conventional practices affecting girls and women, particularly on the neighborhood stage.
They made the dedication at a summit organised by the UN Ladies with assist from the Ford Basis on Tuesday in Abuja.
The summit was a part of its “Conventional and Cultural Leaders for Ending GBV by Advancing Advocacy, Coverage, and Social Norms Change in Nigeria and West Africa (LEAP)” challenge (2023-2026).
Ms Beatrice Eyong, UN Ladies Consultant to Nigeria and ECOWAS, described GBV as a violation of human rights, a barrier to improvement, and a menace to peace and safety.
“In West Africa, over 40 per cent of ladies are victims of bodily and/or sexual violence.
“These acts of abuse are so widespread that they are typically normalised
by girls themselves,” she stated.
She stated the summit would supply them with instruments, regional accountability framework to assist steady monitoring and maintain them accountable for his or her commitments in the direction of eliminating GBV and dangerous practices.
“We all know together with your dedication and assist; we will create an Africa the place girls and women reside free from worry of violence.
“And the place our conventional and non secular practices could be upheld and celebrated with out compromising on human rights,” she stated.
Darren Walker, President, Ford Basis, stated: “Allow us to proceed drawing on the knowledge of our traditions and collective resolve to handle the scourge of GBV and create a extra simply equitable society for girls and women in West Africa.
“Collectively, we will obtain our shared imaginative and prescient of a world free from violence, bias, prejudice and discrimination.’
Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Ladies Affairs harassed the necessity to collaborate with stakeholders, particularly non secular and conventional leaders to finish GBV and dangerous practices towards girls and women.
“Every time I communicate with any of you, I study classes and I push it into motion instantly as a result of I would like this to succeed, and it’s only via that that we will liberate the ladies, women and infants,” she stated.
Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, famous the existence of GBV within the society additional time, calling for extra actions and coverage implementation to keep away from re-convening conferences to debate the identical points.
Abubakar, who can be the President Basic, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, stated: “we’re prepared to offer our greatest to the nation, discuss peace and stability primarily based on justice, truthful play, and fairness.
” It is a massive turnout of conventional leaders, which reveals that conventional establishments are at all times able to be proactive and progressive.”
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ile-Ife, harassed the necessity to prioritise points affecting girls and implementing sensible options that may handle them.
“Conventional rulers have an important position to play, and we nonetheless have to do extra in giving girls a spot to face, how they are often helpful to society irrespective of faith.
“Perhaps some faith and cultural beliefs normally confine girls, however there are a number of different methods that you would be able to give girls a way of place and ensure they’re a part of the society and have issues they will contribute,” he stated.
Rev. Daniel Okoh, President, Christian Affiliation of Nigeria (CAN) stated: ” we should give ethical management in talking out towards all types of violence and injustice together with GBV.
“And to work in the direction of a extra simply and equitable society for all to reside and flourish in with out worry of discrimination or intimidation.”
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) stories that varied non secular and conventional leaders from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria Republic, and Liberia had been in attendance on the occasion, aimed toward eliminating GBV and reworking dangerous social norms on the neighborhood stage. (NAN)
Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa
