UN Women Calls for Strengthening of Mechanism and Policies Towards Ending Gender Violence

By: Michael Mike

UN Women has advocated for the strenghtening of mechanism and policies towards ending gender-based violence, especially technology-facilitated abuse that increasingly threaten women.

It called on traditional rulers across Nigeria to take up the role of watchdog against violation of gender rights in their domains as play custodians of culture and authority, with a direct contact with the people within communities.

The advocacy was made at the National Convening of Traditional Leaders on GBV Prevention, in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Representing the UN Women Country Representative, to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, the Deputy Country Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Patience Ekeoba, explained that the rate at which digital spaces are becoming new avenues for violence against women, harassment, exploitation, and intimidation, there is an urgent needs for every one to contribute their quota in curbing the menace.

She noted that recent national surveys show that while progress is being made, harmful practices and physical, emotional, and sexual abuse continue to affect millions of Nigerian women.

She further called for stronger enforcement mechanisms and coordinated community action to protect survivors and deter perpetrators. stressing that the Traditional Rulers remain essential in driving collective reforms and accountability within communities.

She noted that: “The commemoration of the 16 days of activism with Traditional Rulers is therefore part of a sustained effort to reflect your positive influence in challenging and transforming cultural practise used to justify and perpetuate violence against women and cultural practise used to justify and perpetuate all forms of violence. It is also a moment to recognise your potential to drive broader women’s empowerment, peace building, women political participation.

“We believe that our Traditional Rulers can lend their voice to make sure that that bill passes and women are able to get more seats at the National Assembly.”

She highlighted community-level success stories in Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Enugu, and Cross River States, where traditional leaders, with support from government and development partners, have abolished child marriage, widowhood rites, and female genital mutilation.

According to her, these examples prove that “cultural transformation is possible when tradition aligns with justice and human dignity. Reiterating UN women commitment towards ending Gender Based Violence.

“UN Women, together with the governments of Nigeria and partners, remain committed to supporting Traditional Rulers through technical assistance, capacity building, documentation, and platform for coordination. As we continue the 16 days of activism, we really need your support to make sure that the new form of violence that we are seeing, especially around digital violence, technology-enabled violence. We’re really hoping that you use your good office to begin to talk to our young people, even as you get back home, to ensure that they use technology properly. So as we talk about other forms of violence, because they are important, we also want your help in making sure that people understand that technology, while it is a good tool, has also become a tool in the hands of people to pull down women, girls, boys, and men”.

On her part, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, stressed that though Nigeria has made strides in establishing robust legal frameworks, however, legislation alone cannot enforce itself.

She stressed that for legal frameworks to translate into protection, they must be embedded within the cultural norms and community practices. This is why your leadership as traditional rulers is indispensable.

She added: “Your Majesties and Your Highnesses, Nigeria cannot defeat gender-based violence without you. You are the moral compass of our nation, the guardians of our cultural identity, and the first line of defence for the vulnerable. Your voices can end harmful practices, promote accountability, and create a national environment where dignity becomes the norm and violence becomes unacceptable.”

She added that: “As we share experiences today; from kingdoms, emirates, chiefdoms, stools, and councils across our diverse nation; may our wisdom guide us toward sustainable solutions. May our actions reflect the Nigeria we aspire to build: a nation where culture pects, not harms; where leadership uplifts, not oppresses; and where every woman and girl can live free from violence,”

The Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said the convening offers a platform to redefine GBV at cultural, traditional, and institutional levels.

She noted that: “Traditional leaders are transformers and gatekeepers whose voices can reshape norms, strengthen family value systems, and eliminate the cultural silence that often protects perpetrators. Protecting women and girls requires a united response anchored on community accountability”.

Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi, further restated FCTA’s commitment to sustaining partnerships that would prevent violence, support survivors, and enhance framework for strengthening social justice in the territory.

Also speaking the Convener-General of the Council of Traditional Leaders in Africa (COTLA), the Emir of Shonga, Haliru Yahaya Ndanusa, reaffirmed traditional rulers readiness to work collectively to end harmful practices that cause physical, emotional, or digital harm.

He said: “Cultural and religious laws provide clear guidance on ending practices that cause more harm than good. The palaces can also serve as safe havens for girls facing abuse. Traditional rulers possess influence that can swiftly change community behaviours when they speak with one voice, in discouraging child marriage, protecting survivors, and promoting responsible digital conduct among young people.”

The dialogue with a focus on deepening commitments, sharing community-led solutions, and exploring practical pathways for sustained action, brought together traditional rulers and key stakeholders to strengthen collective efforts to end violence against women and girls.

UN Women Calls for Strengthening of Mechanism and Policies Towards Ending Gender Violence

ECOWAS Court Delegation Undertakes Study Visits on Enforcement of Human Rights Decisions

By: Michael Mike

A delegation from the Community Court of Justice (ECOWAS Court) led by the President of the Court, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves embarked on a study visit to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, and other key institutions in Sweden.

The tour, which took place between 23 and 29 November 2025, has as core objective to provide the delegation from the ECOWAS Court with practical insights into the enforcement of human rights judgments from regional and international courts.

According to a statement from ECOWAS Court, the weeklong visit focused on learning from the experiences of other international courts and institutions, while also providing a platform for the ECOWAS Court to share its own experiences.

The statement further revealed that the study visit was intended to enhance the ECOWAS Court’s enforcement mechanisms and significantly improve compliance with its human rights judgments.

The visit was organised by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) as part of its programme aimed at increasing the implementation of human rights decisions of continental and regional human rights institutions in Africa.

The delegation led by the President of the Court included the Hon. Vice-President of the Court, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, and Members of the Court, Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara and Justice Dupe Atoki. Others were the Chief Registrar of the Court, Director of Research and Documentation, as well as selected staff of the Registry, Administration and Finance Department and the Language Services division of the Court. Two staff of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute were also present.

ECOWAS Court Delegation Undertakes Study Visits on Enforcement of Human Rights Decisions

Onaiyekan Asks Tinubu to Equip the Current Security Operatives for Better Performance, Drop Employment of 20,000 Policemen

By: Michael Mike

Former Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has told President Bola Tinubu to treat as top priority the equipping of the present crops of policemen and security operatives to combat the perennial insecurity in the nation instead of giving order for the employment of additional 20,000 policemen.

Speaking at the 9th International Conference on Love and Tolerance in Abuja, the respected cleric warned that the nation cannot afford delays in tackling insecurity.

He said: “Right now in Nigeria, we have to build bridges so that all of us, Christians and Muslims, can jointly face our common enemy… Those who are killing us.

“We have finally agreed that we shall join hands and face them. And if we join hands, we can deal with them now. We should be able to deal with them.”

He added that: “With all these wonderful soldiers and police, we should be able to deal with them. I’m not even sure we need 20,000 more policemen. I believe they are the ones we have right now. Arm them well, treat them well, and they will do their job.”

He said: “There is no need to deploy 20,000 policemen. We could use the policemen we have. I’m not an expert, but to train them and then deploy them, for an emergency. Let the experts tell me how long does it take to deploy 20,000 people. I guess we are talking of one year. In one month, this country can be destroyed.”

“So I’m saying we should look at a strategy that will address the issue right now. We should equip the policemen we have now, who are already trained though, but they are carrying bags for madams. It’s good that they have been withdrawn; Let them start working.

“And let there be the political will to flush the terrorists out of the forest. And we are glad that the language that our president spoke yesterday; but weve been listening to that since two years ago.

“What do you have police for? That’s their job. It’s not even the job of the army. It’s the job of the police.” He said.

He also reflected on global religious harmony, warning that Nigeria faces increasing local polarisation despite global unity efforts, referencing the “Abu Dhabi document” signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar.

A renowned activist and Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, highlighted the root causes of intolerance and conflict, noting that human differences in wealth, power, race, and religion often drive dominance and resistance.

He emphasized that differences are natural and unavoidable, and that peace and tolerance begin with recognizing and accepting human diversity.

Sani expressed concern over shrinking freedom of speech, insisting that the arrests and social media scrutiny threaten open dialogue, and urged that love, understanding, and respect for differing opinions are essential for building a harmonious society.

On his part, the President of UFUK Dialogue Foundation, Emrah Ilgen, whose organisation convened the international conference, said the gathering was created to address the urgent need for healing in a deeply divided world.

He said the theme “Bridging Divides: Building Trust in a Polarized World” was chosen to confront rising global and local tensions, emphasising that the world is experiencing dangerous levels of mistrust driven by misinformation, fear, ethnic divisions, and religious misconceptions.

He explained that UFUK Dialogue has, for more than a decade, committed itself to building bridges between communities and promoting dialogue that encourages understanding rather than suspicion.

“Humanity is strongest when it chooses dialogue over suspicion, compassion over conflict, and understanding over prejudice,” he said.

In his welcome address, Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, represented by Dr. Emmanuel Mamman, said Nigeria is facing deepening mistrust, widening identity divides, and increasing misinformation, stressing that trust must be rebuilt through fairness, dialogue, and inclusion of women and youths.

He said: “Polarization is not destiny. Mistrust, though deep, remains reversible.”

The DG added that traditional and religious institutions remain pillars of social harmony, and collaboration with groups like UFUK Dialogue is essential in restoring national cohesion.

Onaiyekan Asks Tinubu to Equip the Current Security Operatives for Better Performance, Drop Employment of 20,000 Policemen