The national dialogue on promoting cultural values that protect and empower women and girls by men organized by Nigeria’s first female radio, WFM Station and Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation with support from Ford Foundation on Tuesday came out with number of solutions to address the menace.
The meeting hosted by Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, held in his palace at Sagamu town of Ogun State issued a communique need to be implemented.
The meeting was attended by 31 traditional rulers from Remoland, community stakeholders, youth representatives, faith-based organisations, security agents and business men to strengthen family and community bonds.
This represents the collective voice and resolve of Remoland towards creating safer, more inclusive communities where all individuals especially women and girls are protected, respected, and empowered.
The robust deliberations and shared experiences, made number of recommendations which include establishment of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Desks in all palaces to provide survivors with timely support, safe reporting mechanisms, and referral services.
The communique added on need for eradication of harmful traditional practices, while community should desist from all harmful traditional practices that violate the rights and well-being of women.
The stakeholders in same vein emphasized that its end time to stop early and forced marriages, stressing that every child must be given the right to education, autonomy, and protection, as well as public condemnation of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The traditional rulers reaffirmed their united stance to publicly denounce all forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and committed to being active champions of safety, dignity, and justice in their communities.
The meeting called for 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 participants equally make case for Gender Based Violence (GBV) desks in associations and social groups and put in place clear internal policies to address harassment, abuse, and support victims.
The meeting identified education and training for boys and young men, 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.
It was agreed that there should be faith-based advocacy, while faith 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 part of the communique noted recognition of male allies, and that traditional titles and honours should be awarded to men who have actively empowered women and contributed to gender justice and social inclusion.
The meeting called for respect and dignity for all women and must be treated with unconditional respect and dignity, stressing that all forms of violence, discrimination, and marginalization must be condemned and actively discouraged.
The stakeholders said education and empowerment of the boy-child is also important and ending Gender Based Violence (GBV) must begin with the empowerment of the boy-child nurturing his confidence, emotional intelligence, and sense of worth to break the cycle of violence often rooted in low self-esteem and societal pressure.
