The protection of women and girls is still unavoidable, according to Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Orangun of Oke-Ila Orangun and Chairman of the Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on Gender Based Violence, GBV, Prevention.
Additionally, Oba Abolarin emphasized that traditional leaders must work as advocates for preservation, maintaining that culture should never be used as a cover for injustice, silence, or destructive behaviors.
On Tuesday, the traditional ruler gave a speech at the Osun State convention of traditional rulers for gender-based violence prevention at the Osun State Secretariat in Abere.
In order to bolster efforts against gender-based violence (GBV) in the state, ActionAid Nigeria, in partnership with the Osun State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and Social Welfare and the multi-stakeholder action group on GBV prevention, gathered the traditional rulers.
He pointed out that the convention’s theme urged traditional leaders to take intentional action to put a stop to gender-based violence in their communities, addressing their duties as cultural guardians.
The monarch disclosed that community engagements centered on violence, silence, accountability, and protection had been facilitated by stakeholders, resulting in heightened awareness and constructive behavioral change.
However, he admitted that certain groups continue to engage in detrimental customs that put women and children at risk of exploitation and abuse.
In our communities, women and girls are observing. When traditional rulers remain silent, harmful practices can continue, but they can stop when leadership takes decisive action, he said.
In order to eradicate GBV, Oba Abolarin urged traditional leaders to take an active role in promoting change and bolstering cooperation throughout the state.
In his address, Oba Muraina Adebanjo Adedini, Asoya of Ile-Isoya Kingdom, representing the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, described GBV as one of the most serious challenges confronting society.
He said the menace undermines peace and threatens the moral fabric of communities, calling on traditional rulers to use their influence to promote peaceful coexistence.
He emphasized education and value orientation as essential instruments in reducing GBV and fostering respect for one another, and he called for palaces to act as safe havens for victims.
Speaking on behalf of ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, Kehinde Arowosegbe stated that the organization had made a substantial impact by tackling detrimental societal norms and bolstering community resilience.
According to Arowosegbe, the project had created community structures to assist victims and stop abuse, turning traditional rulers from passive observers into active advocates.
In a keynote address, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi Bada, represented by Tijani Adekilekun Kareem, emphasised that culture must never be used to justify violence.
He said that in order to guarantee justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators, the Osun State Government had reinforced institutional and legal frameworks, including as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law.
While Funmilayo Abdullahi and other speakers emphasized the negative social and health effects of harmful practices like female genital mutilation, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children, and Social Welfare Ayobola Awolowo, represented by Lola Adewale, called for continued cooperation among stakeholders.
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