A’Ibom community kicks against gender-based violence, ill-treatment of widows

The traditional rulers of Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have condemned rape, wife/husband battery, maltreatment of widows and other forms of gender-based violence.

The Paramount Ruler of Uyo, HRM Edidem Sylvanu Okon, who declared the end to such heinous practice in his domain, described such practice as wife’s battery, rape, and other forms of gender-based violence as evil.

The royal majesty, before signing his order into law, opined that, henceforth, anyone found indulging in the practice in his domain, would be sanctioned at all costs.

Concerning female children, Okon noted that there was no difference between a male child and a female child, adding that all children are entitled to the same rights and privileges.

According to him, “Discrimination against widows, male and female children, has day been abolished within Uyo territory. Widows are to be entitled for their husband property in full. Men and women have equal rights, and there is no superiority between a man and a woman.”

Helen Umana (FIDA), President, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Akwa Ibom State, said they had heard so much about gender-based violence in the state, especially about rape including children being raped even by their fathers.

She expressed surprise that some of those raped are minors like six months, one year, and two years old. She asked, “Please tell me what a six-month baby girl will be able to do to attract other party to rape her?”

She explained that her organisation has been inundated with reports of gender-violence against women. People call in at 12 am, saying, “Oh! There is a fight between her and her husband; I have received a series of calls. Recently I have a very heavily pregnant woman come to my office and she said her husband was hitting and beating her and the woman was heavily pregnant.

“Tell me what he is looking for? Does he want the woman to die in that pregnancy? At the end of the day, the woman ran to the police station and reported the matter. When you are in a relation that is stuffy, when the man for no reason is hitting you, why don’t you live? We at FIDA have been able to implement rape law. If you are caught, you will go to jail.”

Ms. Patience Ekeoba, Acting Deputy Representative (UN Women), in her declaration ceremony, said the UN women recognise the unique and powerful role of traditional institutions in shaping social norms and influencing behaviour at the grassroots level.

She added that the leadership demonstrated by His Royal Majesty and the Uyo Traditional Council is a bold and commendable step toward cultural transformation rooted in dignity and equality.

She said, the UN women is the entity of the United Nations for gender equality and women’s empowerment, working on three (3) mandates: Normative Standards (laws, policies and conventions), Coordination of GEWE within the UN system and partners and programme operations.

“We work in five (5) programme areas: Governance in Public and Private Life (GPPL), Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG), Women Economic Empowerment (WEE), Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Humanitarian and Disaster Risk Reduction (HDRR).

“UN Women is proud to partner with traditional leaders, government institutions, civil society, and communities to eliminate all forms of Gender-Based Violence.

“We remain committed to supporting capacity-building, community engagement, and the development of community-led guidelines that translate today’s declaration into sustainable action.

“We will continue to provide technical support for coordination, communications, monitoring and evaluation, and accountability mechanisms to ensure impact,” she said.