Gender:Wives of Traditional rulers presents SGBV documents in FCT
Gender:Wives of Traditional rulers presents SGBV documents in FCT
Gender:Wives of Traditional rulers presents SGBV documents in FCT
Gender:Wives of Traditional rulers presents SGBV documents in FCT
The policy document, which gives clarity on the administration of traditional justice in the FCT as well as improve women’s access to justice for sexual gender based violence discrimination, early marriage of girl-child, was produced and presented by Association of Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers, AWTR.
Speaking at a one-day validation workshop held on Friday in Abuja, AWTR Programmes Director, Ambassador Hannatu Usman Nga, explained that, “We have been on this for almost two years now. We are here today to see how we can review the document, to adopt it to be used to resolve sexual gender based violence cases. We are trying to strengthen the traditional justice system even though the 17 chiefdoms have ways they resolve such acts”.
She added that “But we are trying to see how they can connect it to human rights and especially on SGBV because it has not been easy for the original inhabitants down to the grassroots.
“We will share the code of conduct for SGBV across the palaces. We have also trained the secretaries in the 17 chiefdoms because it’s a continuous learning process.
“Our next plan will be to launch this document then we will distribute it in schools, churches and mosques. We will also sensitize our religious leaders to enable them to create awareness among their congregation at every opportunity they get.”
Meanwhile, the Programmes Director, called on government agencies, civil society groups and donor agencies to support the group as it’s plans to unveil the document as the “policy document will help in tackling the menace of SGBV in the FCT.”
On his part, the Assistant Director, FCT Community and Chieftaincy Affairs Department, Kombo Umar, said that “As a department in the FCTA, we have a fundamental role to play in achieving your goal. Hence, there is a need to have an administrative guidelines which gave birth to this document before you.”
Also speaking, representative of the Nigerian Bar Association, Linda Bala, said “We are happy to say we have looked at parts of the document and realize that a good job has been done. We’re a bit concerned about the fact that you have not laid emphasis on trauma that the victims face and we hope that you will lay more emphasis on that and training for those who are going to engage the victims.”
