Sulaiman-Ibrahim GBV advocacy urges traditional leaders to lead the fight against gender-based violence in communities nationwide.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called on traditional rulers to take a firmer stance in Nigeria’s battle against sexual and gender-based violence.
Also read: NDDC Urges Traditional Rulers to Boost Niger Delta Development
The appeal was made in Abuja during the National Convening of Traditional Leaders on GBV Prevention and Experience Sharing, held as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Addressing monarchs, elders, and cultural custodians, Sulaiman-Ibrahim described the presence of the royal fathers as “momentous” and emphasised that traditional leadership is critical in protecting women and girls.
She highlighted national data showing that one in three Nigerian women will experience gender-based violence, with 70 per cent of cases occurring within the home.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim praised recent legislative milestones, including the domestication of the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, but warned that laws alone cannot curb violence without integration into cultural norms.
She announced the launch of a National Audit on Women’s Inclusion in Traditional Governance to assess representation and identify areas needing reform.
The minister also backed demands for Special Parliamentary Seats for women, linking leadership representation to effective GBV prevention.
Aligning the advocacy with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Sulaiman-Ibrahim cited national initiatives benefiting women, including the Women Agro-Value Expansion (WAVE), the Solar Home Lighting Programme, and the Clean Cooking project, emphasising stronger collaboration with traditional institutions to extend their reach.
Also read: Kebbi religious leaders urge Tinubu to call national prayer
Concluding her address, the minister described traditional rulers as “the moral compass of our nation, the guardians of cultural identity, and the first line of defence for the vulnerable,” urging them to champion zero tolerance for gender-based violence across communities.
