The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has urged the traditional rulers in the state to coalesce efforts with the body in its desperate resolve to promote women’s political relevance and curb cases of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and child slavery, among others.
FIDA described the traditional rulers’ roles as being central to winning the wars being waged against all forms of gender-based violence (GBV) by the government and FIDA, a body truly committed to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The women’s Lawyers said this on Monday, during their separate advocacy visits to the palaces of Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, and the Apeju of Ilupeju-Ekiti, Oba Sunday Akingbade, to enlist their support in the virulent fight against GBV.
Speaking at the parley, the FIDA’s chairperson in Ekiti, Oyinade Olatunbosun, and the Project Officer, Catherine Oduluyi, maintained that the visits were geared towards partnering the traditional rulers for the implementation of the Project themed “Enhancing Leadership Abilities in Community Women to ensure Effective Response and Mitigating Gender-Based Violence.”
Olatunbosun informed the traditional rulers that those eligible to participate in the training programme include traditional Chiefs, leaders of market women, driver unions, religious leaders, artisans, health workers, and persons living with disabilities.
The FIDA’s Chief, who spoke extensively on the project’s concept, revealed that it involves the training and institution of Community Paralegals in the two towns, who will act as first responders on GBV cases, and the training of community women to boost their leadership skills and awareness.
According to her, “The project is graciously supported by the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and its goal is to improve and inspire women’s innate abilities for leadership in communities and government towards equitable and inclusive governance.
“We are also creating awareness on how best to curb cases of rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence, child trafficking, forced labour, and other menaces associated with GBV. The main reason behind this is to ensure that our people don’t suffer in silence. They should speak up and forget about the fear of stigmatisation.
“Our traditional institution, which has been taken as a strong partnership in this fight, will also get familiar with the criminality in using their influences to suppress any GBV case without allowing the law to take its full course.”
In their separate responses, the two prominent traditional rulers expressed their readiness to collaborate with FIDA to rid their communities of cases of GBV.
They added that bringing such a lofty training programme and empowerment to their domains would bolster the intellectual viability of women and vulnerable groups and create awareness about their rights and limitations.
Specifically, Oba Ademolaju, hinted that there is a palace court in Oye-Ekiti, that has been dispensing justice traditionally, saying the presiding officers were adjudicating on issues fairly and justifiably.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
VIDEO: Alema of Warri buys customised 2023 Maybach for wife, Natasha
Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom, in Delta, has bought a new vehicle worth millions of…
Call on God to kill me if … — Pastor Adeboye
Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has said to call on God to kill him if…
Military rejects requests to topple Tinubu’s Government — DHQ
The Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, has rejected requests by Coup instigators to topple the democratically elected Government of…
Petrol pump price may jump to N750/litre — IPMAN
The association’s national spokesperson, Mr. Chinedu Ukadike gave the hint while speaking to…
#BBNaijaAllstars: Food crisis looms as housemates lose weekly wager
Big Brother Naija All stars Housemates have lost the first Wager task, which means for the next week, there will be…
Heavyweight bout: Anthony Joshua knocks out Robert Helenius in seventh round
Robert Helenius was defeated by Anthony Joshua at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday after..
and then