The Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers has totally condemned all forms of violent practices against women and girls in the State, vowing to bring such to end.
This formed part of a communique they issued after a multi-stakeholders’ strategic conference to eliminate violence against women and girls held on Wednesday in Enugu.
DAILY POST reports that the conference was attended by traditional rulers from across the State, as well as members of some civil society organizations.
The Multi Stakeholders Strategic Conference was between the Traditional Rulers Council of Enugu State and the WomenAid Collective (WACOL) in partnership with the Ford Foundation, and support from the Ministries of Gender Affairs, Chieftaincy Matters and Justice and the 50/50 Action Women of Enugu State,
In the communique signed by HRH Igwe Amb. Dr. Lawrence O. C. Agubuzu, the Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, the monarchs said “we are committed to eliminating harmful traditional practices eg marrying out a girl child and abolition of sacrificing female children to the shrine;
“That we are committed to respecting the rights of widows and widowers.
“That we make commitment towards actions to codify communal laws and regulations that will protect women and girls which include rejection of harmful traditional widowhood practices, including disinheritance of widows;
“That we are committed to implementing the Supreme Court judgment that females have a right to inherit property from the family estate whether married or not;
“That we support the inclusion of women in decisions affecting them;
“That we encourage women leadership at community level;
“That we are committed to mediating in human rights and women’s rights cases in line with state, national, regional and international human rights laws.
“Subsequently we will have an Enugu state that is free from all forms of violence against women and girls.”
Earlier, Igwe Agubuzu had commended WACOL for its intervention in the fight against violence against women in the State.
While noting that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi restored the dignity of the traditional rulers in the State, he said they had no reason to fail.
In her address, Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, the founder and WACOL Executive Director, said the aim of the conference was to deliberate on interventions to eliminate violence against women in Enugu State.
Prof Ezeilo, who lamented the way women were being marginalized and unfairly treated, assured that WACOL would not relent in her efforts to end violence against women.
Also, the state Commissioner of Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr C. O Egumgbe, who was represented by Bar Chinemelum Onuoha assured that the ministry would continue to collaborate with the traditional rulers to ensure the abolition of harmful traditional practices and gender-biased customary laws against women and girl child.
Egumgbe announced that gazettes of chieftaincy constitutions of all the communities in the State will be accessed online, courtesy of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, adding “this would enable your organization to go through and further identify any community in Enugu State whose constitution has any section that is gender-biased”.
Gender-based violence: Enugu Traditional rulers launch joint action
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