SDG 5: The council of traditional rulers in Nigeria renews commitment to end gender discrimination and violence against women
The Council of Traditional/Cultural Leaders of Africa (COTLA) is committed to redouble its effort in ensuring violence against women, all forms of gender discrimination and harmful traditional practices come to an end in Nigeria.Date:
The Council of Traditional/Cultural Leaders of Africa (COTLA) is committed to redoubling its efforts in ensuring that violence against women, all forms of gender discrimination and harmful traditional practices come to an end in Nigeria. The setting for this resolution was a meeting between the leadership of COTLA and UN Women in Abuja, Nigeria, on 17 March 2021, supported by the joint European Union/United Nations Spotlight Initiative to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
In his opening remarks, the Convener General of COTLA, HRM (Arc.) King Adedapo Aderemi, appreciated the efforts of UN Women and reiterated COTLA’s solidarity and their commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria. According to him, COTLA is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5, which seeks to end gender discrimination against women. He also pointed out that COVID-19 has exacerbated poverty, particularly for women, who have had to face numerous challenges trying to care for their families.
“Due to lockdown, reports show an alarming increase in shadow pandemic violence against women and girls. Poor access to services such as counselling and police protection, [along with] long-term closure of schools due to COVID-19 and bandits has exposed girls to GBV, child marriage, FGM and unintended pregnancy, as well as health challenges such as HIV. In addition, child labour and sexual exploitation and abuse have increased. As COTLA, we are not bystanders, we are active advocates for laws and policies ending early and child marriage in our communities and creating safe spaces."—HRM (Arc.) King Adedapo Aderemi, Convener General of COTLA
Earlier in her welcome address, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Comfort Lamptey, highlighted the important role of traditional leaders in ending violence against women and promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. She stated that UN Women will keep on partnering with COTLA to ensure a sustained development process from the grass roots to the national level; to change negative social norms and stereotypes; and to enhance women’s participation in decision-making and leadership processes.
“COTLA is poised to address the issues of gender-based violence, child marriage, child abuse and other discriminatory and harmful traditional practices, and has decided to focus on progressive traditional institutions, identify allies in leaders, and work towards shifting harmful perceptions of leaders who are not in support of gender equality and women’s empowerment.”—HRH Dr Haliru Yahaya Ndanusa, Deputy Convener General of COTLA
In a goodwill message, the Obong of Calabar, Royal Eminence Chief (Barr.) Edem Duke, through his representative, said the monarch is relentlessly working towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. He said his palace has worked with the Government of Cross River State to ensure that women will make up 50 per cent of the 5,000 existent political aide positions.
On gender-based violence, the Obong said he has repealed and amended obnoxious traditional beliefs and practices and upheld widowhood rights, among other reforms. He said he is working with Spotlight Initiative through FIDA to ensure access to justice and essential services for women who have been victimized.
Other speakers, including the Emir of Bwari, Alhaji Awwal Musa Ijokoro II; HRH Eze Martin Nwali of Ameka Ezza South, Ebonyi State; HRH Eze Ngozi of Abia State; Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Mustafa Ubandoma, District Head of Girie in Adamawa; and Alh Kabiru Chigari Alhassan, Sarkin Sudan, Sultanate Council of Sokoto, committed to ending gender-based violence while also testifying to the incredible work the Spotlight Initiative has done in mobilizing and sensitizing local communities towards eradicating gender-based violence and discrimination.
UN Women and COTLA agreed to implement a strategic plan to accelerate the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.