By Pius Awunah
The Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Highness (HRH) Adamu Baba Yunusa, has pledged full support for ongoing efforts to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the Federal Capital Territory, assuring that traditional rulers will use their influence to eliminate harmful practices in their communities.
The Ona of Abaji listed Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), breast ironing, rape, underage and forced marriage as some of the practices that must be stopped and assured that traditional rulers would play their part.
His words: “These are the problems we want to eliminate, and I will let our people know that we will solve them,” he said.
The paramount ruler spoke as the Federal Capital Territory joined the global commemoration of 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence.
This year’s campaign focuses on leveraging traditional institutions to curb the menace that has for decades undermined the rights and dignity of women and girls.
Yunusa also commended Nigeria’s First Lady,Senator Oluremi Tinubu,the Women Affairs Secretariat, and UN Women for amplifying the voices of women.
The 16 Days advocacy train, led by the FCT Women Affairs Mandate Secretary, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, visited the palace of the Ona of Abaji in a colourful rally that showcased a united commitment to achieving zero tolerance for GBV in the Territory.
Speaking during the sensitisation, Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi emphasised that traditional institutions remained a highly respected structure capable of partnering with the government to eradicate culturally-rooted practices that fuel gender-based violence at the grassroots.
“We are here today to address a critical international issue that affects everyone, even at the local level. These harmful traditional practices, such as Female Genital Mutilation, child marriage, and breast ironing, violate not only human rights but family and community dignity.We can change the narrative from this royal engagement” she said.
She appealed to the Ona of Abaji to deploy his royal influence to phase out all practices that undermine human dignity, adding that her team would return in December for a follow-up engagement to develop a blueprint for eliminating GBV-related cultural practices in the FCT.
Also speaking, the wife of the Ona of Abaji and royal matriarch of the FCT, HRH Hauwa Ibrahim Aminu, lent her voice, condemning the continued existence of cultural norms that diminish women and girls in modern society.
This year’s 16 Days of Activism, themed: “End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” highlights the need to tackle GBV across physical and digital spaces.
Supported by UN Women in Nigeria, the FCT’s activism activities will extend to other remote communities.
Available statistics indicate that GBV remains one of the most pervasive forms of abuse globally, affecting one in every three women.
It is hoped that intensified grassroots sensitisation will help reverse the troubling trend.
