By Prevail Inegbenose
The Sarkin Jiwa, Alhaji Dr. Idris Musa, has called for sustained government commitment and effective community participation in efforts to tackle sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), warning against initiatives that end after official inaugurations.
Musa made the call when the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, in collaboration with the Social Development Secretariat and with support from International IDEA, visited his palace on Tuesday to seek traditional leadership support for the establishment of a Community Protection Committee in Jiwa Chiefdom.
The traditional ruler, who condemned all forms of violence against women and children, insisted that any intervention must be backed by continuous supervision, transparency and practical engagement with affected communities.
He cautioned against using communities merely for publicity or to satisfy donor requirements, stressing that committees established to address gender-based violence must remain functional beyond their inauguration.
Musa said government involvement was a major factor in his decision to support the initiative, adding that meaningful collaboration between public institutions and traditional authorities was necessary to achieve lasting results.
He identified unemployment, poverty, idle youths and family breakdown as some of the factors contributing to social problems, while also pointing to population pressures arising from the influx of people into the FCT.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Hajia Asmau Mukhtar, said the administration was committed to protecting women, girls, children and other vulnerable members of society from violence.
Mukhtar, who led the delegation, described traditional institutions as essential partners in preventing and responding to SGBV, urging community leaders to establish clear mechanisms for identifying cases, reporting incidents and referring survivors for appropriate assistance.
She said Jiwa Chiefdom had been selected as the pilot location for the initiative, with plans to extend the programme to other area councils and chiefdoms across the Territory.
The permanent secretary warned against treating cases of gender-based violence as private family disputes, insisting that survivors should not be silenced or denied assistance because of customary practices.
She also pledged technical support, capacity building and continuous engagement to strengthen community protection systems.
Representing the Senior Programme Manager of International IDEA, Dr. Juliet Olumuyiwa Rufai, said the European Union-supported programme seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s response to SGBV through improved legal frameworks, survivor support services and community mobilisation.
She explained that the intervention would involve identifying community members with the capacity to listen compassionately to survivors and guide them towards appropriate services, including medical care, psychosocial support, access to justice and temporary shelter.
Rufai appealed to the traditional ruler to support the selection and inauguration of the Community Protection Committee, noting that trained members would help strengthen reporting and referral pathways.
In a vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Olubunmi Olowokere, appreciated the traditional ruler and the leadership of Jiwa Chiefdom for their willingness to collaborate with the government in tackling gender-based violence.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, Hajia Asmau Mukhtar, Esq., said traditional institutions play critical role in safeguarding communities, noting that gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive and destructive challenges facing the Territory.
“It destroys lives, tears families apart and undermines peace and development. We have received several complaints and recorded high figures of SGBV across the entire FCT. No community is immune,” she said.
Abuja Times reports that FCT Administration under its Minister, HE Nyesom Wike is keen on ending gender-based violence by protecting the dignity, safety and well-being of women, girls, children and other vulnerable members of society.
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is any harmful act directed against an individual based on socially ascribed gender roles, power imbalances, or non-consent. It violates fundamental human rights and includes physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and economic abuse.
