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).
The commitment was made during a high-level sensitization 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 is 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 the vital role of traditional rulers 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 despite existing laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, implementation gaps persist 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 FCT and beyond.
“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 said.
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, Adamu Baba-Yunusa, Ona of Abaji, represented by 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 are intensifying actions and collaborations to ensure harmful traditional practices are 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 realizing these acts are unacceptable,” he added.
The workshop was attended by 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.
