The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Ebonyi has called for increased collaborative efforts from government institutions, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders towards ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV), targeting women and girls.
The NHRC Coordinator in Ebonyi, Mr Christopher Okorie, made the call during a one-day state consultative forum in Abakaliki on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum was tagged “Eliminating Harmful Traditional and Religious Practices Impacting the Rights of Women and Gender Equality in Ebonyi.”
The coordinator said that the forum is aimed at engaging stakeholders on prevailing socio–cultural norms that promote harmful traditional and religious practices in the state.
He decried what he called “rising cases of violence against women and gender inequality”, urging stronger teamwork among CSOs, NGOs, individuals, traditional and religious leaders to curb the menace.
According to him, collaboration becomes necessary for improved campaigns against the menace and to ensure that perpetrators are punished according to the law.
“So, we gathered today, to identify structures and frameworks that promote violence and discrimination against women and girls in the state and Nigeria at large.
“That is, to proffer possible solutions that engender protection of rights of women and gender Equality,” he said.
The coordinator listed some of the harmful cultural practices to include: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), harmful widowhood practices, gender targeted witch hunting, inheritance right discrimination, Osu/Ohu caste system, early marriage.
He pointed out that there was an urgent need for continuous awareness creation and public enlightenment across communities not only in Ebonyi but Nigeria at large.
He said “there is urgent need for institutional, policies and laws reforms. There should be political will to enforce all enabling laws, policies and practices geared towards protecting women’s rights and gender equality.
“There is also the urgent need for reforms of cultural norms and religious doctrines to protect the rights of women and girls.”
Mr Sunday Oketa, the Traditional Ruler of the Nkaliki, Echara-Unuhu Autonomous Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state, also expressed concern about rising cases of GBV and pledged commitment to tackle the ugly trend.
Oketa, who was represented by a member of his cabinet, Mr Samuel Agbo, said the community
had commenced plans to eliminate harmful traditional practices and called for government and individuals’ support.
The Muslim Community in Ebonyi, represented by Mr Usman Shuaib-Adam, who is the Secretary-General, Centre Mosque, Abakaliki, commended the NHRC for coming up with the programme, urging all hands to be on deck in the fight against GBV.
According to him, individuals and institutions in Ebonyi should continue to make firm commitments towards eliminating of structures, cultural and religious doctrines and practices that impact negatively on the rights of women.
He said “the Muslim community in the state has been creating awareness against FGM and against the denial of women’s right to inheritance.
