Stakeholders call for gender-based violence desks in palaces
- Gender
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Stakeholders, including traditional rulers have called for a gender-based violence desks in palaces in order to address inhuman treatment on women and the girl child.
This formed part of the communique issued at the end of the town hall meeting hosted by the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, held in his palace at Sagamu town of Ogun state.
The meeting which was attended by 31 traditional rulers from Remoland, community stakeholders, youth representatives, faith-based organisations, security agents and business men was intended to further strengthen family and community bonds.
The participants added that there is need for the eradication of harmful traditional practices, that violate the rights and well-being of women, while emphasizing the need to put a stop to early or forced marriages.
They also stressed that every child must be given the right to education, autonomy, and protection, as well as public condemnation of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), just as traditional rulers committed to being active champions of safety, dignity, and justice in their communities.
“The need to strengthen local government, youth collaboration, as well as stronger partnerships between local government authorities and youth leaders as part of recommendation to increase awareness, community engagement, and action against violence targeted at women and girls”, the communique reads
Participants also agreed on the need to educate and train the boy child and young men, and to organise continuous mentoring, teaching and training sessions for them to respect women and girls, foster a cultural shift towards equity and non-violence from an early age.
Faith-based leaders were encouraged to use their influence to routinely speak on issues related to family harmony, respect for women, and gender equality during sermons and community gatherings.
The national dialogue on promoting cultural values that protect and empower women and girls by men, the second in the series was organized by Nigeria’s first female radio, WFM Station and Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation with support from Ford Foundation.
