By Becky Momodu
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners, traditional rulers and community leaders to empower women and girls and eliminate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) across the Federal Capital Territory.
The Permanent Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Hajiya Asmau Mukhtar, made the call during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting on community engagement, advocacy and sensitisation organised in partnership with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) ahead of the 2026 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Mukhtar said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that empowering women begins with protecting their rights, amplifying their voices and ensuring they live free from all forms of violence.
According to her, women who live in safety, dignity and security are better positioned to contribute meaningfully to their families, communities and the nation’s socio-economic development.
She noted that achieving lasting progress in the fight against gender-based violence requires sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, traditional institutions and other critical stakeholders.
As part of preparations for this year’s campaign, the Permanent Secretary directed the Gender Department, Planning, Research and Statistics Department, and Family and Community Engagement Department of the Secretariat to jointly develop a comprehensive implementation strategy.
She said the departments should immediately begin coordinated planning to ensure advocacy, sensitisation and community engagement activities effectively reach grassroots communities across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Mukhtar also commended the Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers for its role in mobilising communities and promoting positive social values, describing traditional institutions as indispensable partners in changing harmful social norms, preventing gender-based violence and deepening awareness at the grassroots.
Speaking at the meeting, the representative of International IDEA, Ms Chidera Okeke, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat.
She pledged continued financial and technical support for the implementation of activities under the 2026 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, as well as other community-based interventions aimed at preventing SGBV in the Federal Capital Territory.
Okeke expressed confidence that the partnership would deliver sustainable, community-driven solutions through advocacy, sensitisation and active engagement with traditional institutions, women leaders and other key stakeholders.
Members of the Executive Committee of the Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers from the six Area Councils, who attended the meeting, pledged their continued support for initiatives promoting gender equality and community ownership of programmes designed to eliminate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The meeting ended with stakeholders renewing their commitment to deepen collaboration, coordinate advocacy efforts and implement impactful community-based interventions to protect the rights, dignity and well-being of women, girls and other vulnerable persons across the FCT.
The annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day. The global campaign seeks to raise awareness and mobilise collective action to end all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.