Worried by the rising cases of Gender Based Violence, GBV, in the communities, traditional rulers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State have read a riot act against perpetrators in the state.
They took the stance on Thursday at the council headquarters, Uyo, during an advocacy/stakeholders’ engagement ceremony to end gender-based violence and other forms of harmful practices against women and girls, which was organized by Women at Risk International Foundation in partnership with the United Nations women.
The traditional rulers led by the Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government Area, His Majesty, Edidem Sylvanus Okon, declared that anyone found culpable of committing any form of gender-based violence in Uyo would be traditionally banished from the land to serve as deterrent to others.
Okon condemned rape, wife/husband battery, maltreatment of widows and other forms of gender-based violence, saying that the public declaration was made to ensure sanity as well as enforcement of traditional sanctions against offenders in Uyo local government.
The monarch also noted that there was no difference between a male child and female child, adding that all children are entitled to the same rights and privileges.
“Discrimination against widows, male and female children, has long been abolished within Uyo territory.
“Widows are to be entitled to their husband property in full. Men and women have equal rights, and there is no superiority between a man and a woman,”; he said.
In her remarks, the President, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Akwa Ibom State, Helen Umana, said that her organisation has been inundated with reports of violence against women in the state, expressing worry that some of those raped are not just minors but infants between six months to one year old.
“Please tell me what a six-month baby girl will be able to do to attract other party to rape her?”; Umana queried.
She urged all victims of gender based violence to report immediately to FIDA or the nearest police station for action to redress the crime.
“When you are in a relationship that is stuffy, when the man for no reason is hitting you, why don’t you leave such relationship? We at FIDA have been able to implement rape law. If you are caught, you will go to jail,”; she stressed.
Patience Ekeoba, Acting Deputy Representative, UN Women, in her remarks said the organization recognizes the unique and powerful role of traditional institutions in shaping social norms and influencing behaviour at the grassroots level.
Ekeoba added that the leadership demonstrated by the Uyo Traditional Council was a bold and commendable step towards cultural transformation rooted in dignity and equality.
She also encouraged all community members, especially men and boys, to be champions for gender equality and justice in their respective areas, even as she stated that the UN Women is the entity of the United Nations for gender equality and women’s empowerment, working on assigned mandates.
