An NGO, Women for Wowen International-Nigeria (WfWI-N), has sought the support of the traditional institution in Plateau toward tackling the spate of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the state.

Mr Daniel Udeh, the Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning of the organisation made the call on Friday, at a two-day workshop for some traditional rulers in the state.

Udeh said that the activity, funded by Ford Foundation, aimed at strengthening the capacity of traditional rulers toward addressing the menace of GBV in the society.

Udeh said that the participants were drawn from Pankshin, Jos East and Riyom Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau.

”This is a follow up workshop for traditional leaders to strengthen their capacity on taking more actions toward addressing GBV in their domains.

”It is a sustainability workshop to ensure that the traditional leaders sustain the actions they are taking in addressing GBV within their localities.

”Research and studies have shown that the traditional institution is very important in addressing issues regarding GBV, because one among the drivers of GBV is harmful cultural norms and social norms within the community,” he said.

Udeh said that addressing some of the drivers, particularly from harmful cultural norms required the training of traditional leaders as the custodians of cultures and traditions.

”Involving the traditional leaders as stakeholders in addressing GBV will be a very effective and sustainable approach because they hold the seat of power within the community.

”They have the influence on the people and as leaders and custodians of culture and tradition.

”They are at the front line in taking actions that will curtail GBV particularly in rural communities,”he said.

Udeh who said that the training was an offshoot of the one held in November 2023, called on the traditional rulers to include women in the decision making process in the domains.

He insisted that such move would create equal opportunity for women, ensure their voices are heard, toward securing a better future for all.

”As part of the commitment from the last training, we expect the traditional rulers to create a gender sensitive or gender responsive traditional council.

”Appont a gender focal persons within their traditional councils and include women into their council either as advisors or stakeholders.

”That will make them constantly seek opinions and inputs on critical issues regarding women because the only way to address issues that are affecting women, their voices must be part of the process,”he said.

He called on the participants to cascade the knowledge gained from this training to their lieutenants and other council members, through aggressive awareness within the community.

He added that the choice of the three LGAs for the project was informed by a survey that showed the prevalence of GBV in those areas.

In her remark, Mrs Bukola Onyishi, the country Director of WfWI-N, expressed confidence that the exercise would inspire new ideas on the participants in the fight against GBV.

She added that it would further deepen their commitment to justice and strengthen the partnership needed to bring about ownership, meaningful change and sustainability of the project.

Mr Sani Suleiman, who facilitated the training, noted that GBV was affecting the family and by extension the society in general.

He explained that it had largely contributed to the rise in social problem, particularly among young people.(NAN)