Abia traditional rulers commit to ending harmful practices, violence against women, girls

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

Traditional rulers in Abia have committed to ending harmful traditional practices and all forms of violence against women and girls in the state.

Chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke, made the promise during a one day multi-stakeholders strategic conference in Umuahia targeted at changing norms and practices that promote violence against women and girls.

The conference was organized by Women Aid Collective (WACOL), in collaboration with Ford Foundation and support ministries.

 Speaking at the Conference, Eze Nwabeke said that certain traditions and customs which weigh against women and girls were being phased out.

“Violence against women and female circumcision were ancient practices that we were used to in this part of the world. But, at this present time, I make bold to say that that ideology has almost evaporated and to the best of my knowledge, I know that it is not being practiced as was being speculated in the media.

“Every other thing, violence against women, as well as widows being harassed or deprived of their of their rights at the death of their spouse, I know also that most of these things are gradually phasing out and in our capacity as traditional rulers, we have to, now that the issues are in focus, to do everything in our  powers to support steps towards eradicating violence against women and girls and to ensure that those who are not in line with the current  drive as we are saying here, will key in and stop all the violence against women.

“We want to thank you (WACOL) for coming here today and assure you that we will speak out and make certain laws within our domain, to ensure that if we find out that there are some people practicing all those evil things against women, we will make sure that we get them to stop it for the good of everybody and the good of society,” Nwabeke said.

The Royal Father’s sentiments were re-echoed in the 10-point communiqué issued at the end of the conference where the participants condemned all forms of violence against women and girls in the State and equally committed to empowerment of the women and girls.

According to the communiqué, the participants also pledged their commitment: “towards actions to codify community bye-laws and regulations in tandem with extant laws that would protect women and girls which include rejection of harmful traditional widowhood practices; to eliminating harmful traditional practices, such as Early/ Child/Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation which leads to high cases of VVF and harmful to the reproductive organ of the woman; to the rights of widows and widowers.”

The communiqué noted that the participants pledged their support in ensuring equal opportunity to male and female children, especially in ending discrimination in education.

The royal fathers specifically pledged their commitment to implementing the Supreme Court judgement in Ukeje vs Ukeje, that females have a right as next of kin and entitled to inherit and own properties from the family estate whether married or not; as well as to include women in leadership at all levels and in decision making in all matters affecting them.

They also said that they were committed to mediating in human rights cases in line with state, national, regional and international human rights laws, and to allow female-homes farmers access to land and cultivation of crops to ensure food security and livelihoods and sustainability.

“We commit to enhance security of women farmers who are perennial victims of communal conflicts and herdsmen/farmers conflict,” the communiqué added.

A lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), Barr. Akachi Nwogu-Ikojo, presented a paper on “Codification of Cultural Norms and Practices that Adversely Affect Women and Girls in the state while the Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Justice, Barr. Ukamaka Ikonne, represented by Barr. Mrs. Chibuzo Ehiemere, presented another paper on “Resolutions to Tackle Harmful Traditional Practices and Gender Biased Customary Laws against Women.”

The conference which saw Permanent Secretaries of support ministries, including those of Women Affairs, Justice, deliver goodwill messages, was attended by traditional rulers drawn from the three senatorial zones, women groups from civil society organizations, including 50/50 Action Women of Abia State.