Harmful traditional, religious practices remain big challenge against  women  – NHRC

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Mr. Daniel Idoko Entonu,has identified perpetuate discrimination, violence, inequality, child marriage, female genital mutilation, unfriendly widowhood rites as parts of harmful traditional and religious practices threatening the health and well-being of women in the society.

He therefore appealed  to  traditional leaders, religious communities, civil society organisations and relevant government agencies and critical stakeholders to take decisive stand towards  eliminating these harmful practices to achieve sustainable development and promote human rights.

Mr. Idoko-Entonu made the appeal while speaking at a one day consultative forum on elimination of harmful traditional and religious practices: impact in the rights of women and gender equality in Nigeria, organised by NHRC Benue State office held at the commission’s headquarters in Makurdi.

He noted that the forum  was put together to share commitment towards addressing the critical issues surrounding harmful traditional practices embedded in Tiv, Idoma, Igede and other cultural structures that hinder progress of women in our society.

According to him, these practices  hide under the guise of tradition, customary law or spiritual order, to trample on women’s rights and hinder the pursuit of gender equality in the State.

The state coordinator noted that gender equality is not just about fundamental human rights, but an essential instrument for achieving a peaceful society with prosperous economy and sustainable development which is equally the bedrock of nurturing the future generation.

“I want to appeal to participants to confront these realities that many women encounter today raging from perpetuate discrimination, violence, inequality, child marriage, female genital mutilation, harmful widowhood rites which threaten the health and well-being of women.

“Today’s meeting is not  a formality, but a wakeup call to action. Consequently, there is a need to collectively raise awareness, peer review and forge a common front that will provide solutions to the various challenges mentioned earlier.

“The traditional leaders, religious communities, civil society organisations and relevant government agencies must  take a decisive stand in eliminating these harmful practices. 

“The NHRC is committed to the vision of a Benue State where every woman is free from violence, discrimination and inequality. Together, we possess the power to change and build a future where gender equality is not just a goal but our reality”, Entonu stated.

Highlights of the consultative forum was open  discussion by participants who expressed their views on certain cultural practices in the state. 

The discussions received massive response from Chief Simon Ugondo Tov, the kindred head of Wurukum who revealed that culture in the state is passing through a transition and requires dialogue rather than confrontation.

 Chief Tov further remarked that, as a member of the Ijirtamen Supreme Council of Tiv Traditional Rulers, lots of cultural practices are being reviewed and required a gradual process.

Others who contributed during the discussion include,  Mrs Esther Abah of Association of Women Living With AIDS (ASWLA), representative of Jama’atu Nasil Islam women group, chairman SS Peter and Paul, Idoma Community, Mr Michael Ali, Evelyn Nyam of Global Women Health Rights and Empowerment Initiatives (GWHREI) among others.