By Kelvin Ololo
In other to curb the prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and harmful traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), bride price exploitation, child marriage, son preference, gender inequality in sharing family inheritance and other vices, Gender and Development Action (GADA) has called on the Traditional Rulers Council in Cross River State to review and reform those customs.
Addressing traditional leaders drawn across the 18 local government areas of the state, in an engagement held in Calabar, the Founder of GADA, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo explained that the interactive summit was to educate traditional leaders on established laws, values and as well enlighten the institutions to review, adapt and develop mechanisms toward combating GBV.
She said as first respondents, traditional leaders through their customs and traditions must work assiduously to bring an end the harmful practices being practiced in their communities in this civilized age.
The former House of Representatives Member, said the traditional rulers are important nexus for proper governance in any society. “In our country today, it’s to get them to be more aware and more knowledgeable about the values of social justice and GBV.”
She said: “Once they create the standard, the abuse becomes an exception and not a rule. Therefore, we are pushing through this encounter to see that a lot of more reforms are taking place.”
In the same vein, the member representing Bakassi in the Cross River State House of Assembly and Chairman House committee on Local Government Chieftaincy Affairs and Development, Hon. Eyo Bassey said that “there are laws enacted by the House that prohibits harmful practices against the girl child and women and those that violate such provisions of the law will not go unpunished in the state.”
He added that the House will continue to come up with legislation to protect Cross Riverians.
Responding to critical issues raised on harmful norms and traditional practices in most communities in the state, the State Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Abi Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Elder Dr. Solomon Osim Edward (JP) assured that the council will ensure issues of GBV are given appropriate attention and justice deliver without interference.
He appealed to his colleagues to be guided by their conscience. “The traditional beliefs that do not go well with society, should be changed. We can’t be static, we must be progressive.”
The royal fathers raised issues of remuneration, health, welfare and others, as some of the challenges they face.
Reacting to the plight, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Darlington Bassey Eyo, who commended GADA and Ford Foundation for organizing the awareness forum to educate traditional rulers, pledged to relate with Governor Bassey Otu.
Darlington assured that his commission is setting up modalities to train, retrain and incorporate more of traditional leaders into the local government to enable them confront and stand in the gap where needs arise.
Delivering keynote address, the former Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Eyo Effiom Ita (rtd), sued for a collaborative effort from stakeholders and the TRC to swing into action on issues of social justice.
Other speakers who spoke at the forum also shared their experiences and proffer possible solutions for a social change.
In attendance were Paramount Rulers, Royal Fathers, Clan heads, Village heads and women leaders from the 18 LGAs
The highlights of the forum were goodwill messages, questions and answers sessions as well as group a photograph.
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