Role of traditional leaders, key in addressing sexual,gender-based violence
CSOMedia Newspaper
Posted On April 18, 2022
By Abah Andrew
An NGO, The Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls, says the role of traditional leaders is key in addressing sexual,gender-based violence(SGBV).
The Executive Director of the group, Mrs Abiodun Essiet said this at a one-day training for traditional rulers in Kwali Area Council in FCT, on combating sexual and gender-based violence.
The training was themed “Strengthening traditional justice system of FCT original inhabitants to combat sexual and gender-based violence.
Essiet said that the roles of especially religious and traditional rulers in addressing domestic and SGBV could not be over emphasised.
The ED said that the roles played by religious and traditional leaders in a marriage or in the family was significant and should be continuous and not neglected or ignored.
She said that traditional rulers who are saddled with the Responsibilities of instituting marriage and marriage rites, should also uphold its mandates in settling issues of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in the family.
“We are in Kwali Area Council in the FCT to sensitize traditional rulers on issues of sexual and gender-based violence.
“We are enlightening them also against the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism and the Child Right Act.
“This is for them to be able to handle disputes in a more organized and confidential way within the community in order to discourage stigmatization of victims.
“We believe the roles of both traditional and religious leaders are key element in breaking the culture of silence,” she said.
While speaking, Essiet recalled the recent reports on the circumstances that led to the death of popular Nigerian gospel artist, Minister Osinachi, saying that no victim of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence should remain silent.
She said that it was necessary especially for religious leaders to harp on domestic and SGBV in their preachings and teachings in at their places of worship.
Essiet also said it had become imperative also for them to encourage those in troubled homes and marriages to seek help regardless of societal opinion.
Accto her, once those currently in such situation know that their church or mosque or their places of work would not judge them and that there is a safe space for them in the society, they will begin to speak up and take actions against those abusing them.
“The government also need to create more safe space for this victims for their rescue and rehabilitation.
“It is the governments responsibility to provide this services of sensitizing against SGV, rescuing victims and rehabilitating them,” she said.
She however appealed to relevant institutions and agencies involved in providing shelters, safe homes, welfare and legal services to collaborate to ensure that no life is lost due to SGV.
One of the district heads, Phase 2 Ward District Head, Kwali, Mr Victor Obasero, lauded the group for the initiative to train and sensitize traditional leader on sexual and gender-based violence and its consequences.
Obasero however said that one of the major challenges faced in handling issues of domestic violence and SGV was the delay in response and in action when reported to the appropriate authorities.
According to him, cases of rape when reported to the police or social welfare department did not get the prompt response and in most cases victims were re-victimized while seeking justice.
“One of the reasons why most people in the community do not report cases of rape and other domestic violence is due to the manner in which the authorities address the issue.
“The victims are mostly re-victimized and that is why this issues are settled in the homes and the victims do not get justice because the culprits always gets away with their act .
“But now that we have been sensitized and trained on the necessary steps to take and who and where to report such cases, we would break the culture of silence.
“We now know that a victim of rape should not bath before reporting the case to the police and further to the nearest health center for medical assessment,”he said.
He urged other participants at the training to step down the knowledge gained to their followers, adding that he would begin a small community sensitization based on the training in his community.
The training had a total of 71 traditional leaders both from Kwali and Abaji Area Councils.
