The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Ebonyi
has called for increased collaborative efforts from government institutions, security agencies, and traditional and religious leaders to end gender-based violence (GBV).
The NHRC coordinator in Ebonyi, Christopher Okorie, made the call during a one-day state consultative forum in Abakaliki on Friday. The forum was tagged “Eliminating Harmful Traditional and Religious Practices Impacting the Rights of Women and Gender Equality in Ebonyi.”
The coordinator said the forum is aimed at engaging stakeholders on the 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, and traditional and religious leaders to curb the menace.
According to him, collaboration is necessary to improve campaigns against the menace and 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 the 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, the Osu/Ohu caste system, and early marriage.
He pointed out that there was an urgent need for public enlightenment across communities, not only in Ebonyi but nationwide.
Mr Okorie said, “There is an urgent need for institutional, policy, and law 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.”
Sunday Oketa, the traditional ruler of the Nkaliki, Echara-Unuhu autonomous community in the Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state, also expressed concern about rising cases of GBV and pledged commitment to tackle the ugly trend.
Mr Oketa, represented by a member of his cabinet, 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 Usman Shuaib-Adam, the secretary-general of the Centre Mosque, Abakaliki, commended the NHRC for the programme, urging all hands to be on deck in the fight against GBV.
(NAN)