Nigeria's Traditional Rulers: Key to Ending Gender-Based Violence
In a powerful declaration, Nigeria's Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasizes the crucial role of traditional rulers in combating gender-based violence (GBV). She asserts that Nigeria's cultural and community leaders hold the key to ending the pervasive violence faced by women and girls, highlighting a crisis that demands urgent cultural intervention beyond legal enforcement.
Speaking at the National Convening of Traditional Leaders on GBV Prevention and Experience Sharing, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim, through her Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Mr. Jonathan Eze, stressed the indispensable involvement of traditional institutions in any national effort to curb GBV. She revealed alarming statistics: one in every three Nigerian women is likely to experience GBV in her lifetime, with 70% of cases occurring within the home.
"We honor survivors, remember the lives lost, and renew our commitment to a Nigeria where women and girls live without fear," she addressed an audience of monarchs, elders, cultural custodians, and civil society leaders. "We must take action to protect and empower women and girls."
The Minister unveiled a major initiative: a National Audit on Women's Inclusion in Traditional Governance. This audit aims to map women's participation in traditional councils, recognize inclusive communities, and identify urgent reform areas. She also reinforced the call for Special Parliamentary Seats for Nigerian women, emphasizing that political inclusion mirrors the need for women's presence at traditional decision-making tables.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim tied the GBV response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring the importance of family stability for national development. She highlighted transformative projects like the Women Agro-Value Expansion (WAVE) program, Solar Home Lighting Program, and the national shift to Clean Cooking, which safeguard women and children.
"These interventions must reach the most vulnerable women," she said, promising deeper collaboration with traditional rulers for grassroots impact. She emphasized the importance of traditional institutions in the 3rd National Action Plan (NAP III) on UNSCR 1325, noting their ability to detect early warning signs of conflict.
"You are the moral compass of our nation and the first line of defense for the vulnerable. Nigeria cannot defeat gender-based violence without you," she urged traditional leaders. She encouraged them to take GBV campaigns back to their palaces, council meetings, and cultural gatherings to foster a national culture of zero tolerance.
As Nigeria joins the global 16 Days of Activism, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed hope that the Abuja convening will inspire sustained action across all communities. She envisioned a Nigeria "where culture protects, leadership uplifts, and every woman and girl can live free from violence."
Traditional leaders from across the country attended the gathering, sharing experiences to build safer and more inclusive communities. This gathering marked a significant step towards a more equitable and peaceful Nigeria, with traditional rulers playing a pivotal role in the fight against GBV.
