AKAMKPA (CONVERSEER) – The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has applauded traditional rulers in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State for taking bold steps to eradicate gender-based violence (GBV) and end harmful cultural practices that undermine the dignity of women and girls.
The commendation followed the adoption of a Community Guideline by the Akamkpa Traditional Rulers Council to operationalise the area’s 2024 Public Declaration Against GBV and Harmful Practices.
Speaking during a four-day dialogue convened by the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with UN Women and supported by the Ford Foundation, UN Women’s representative, Hassana Maina, Esq., hailed the initiative as a powerful example of community-led reform.
“We are committed to upholding the dignity of women against harmful cultural practices. The leadership shown by the royal fathers of Akamkpa sends a strong message that culture can evolve to protect, not harm,” she said.
The newly adopted guideline prohibits a range of entrenched practices including female genital mutilation (FGM), forceful ejection of women, harmful widowhood rites, rape, and the denial of inheritance rights for women. It also outlines both legal and community sanctions for offenders while emphasising victim-centred support services.
Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa, His Royal Majesty Ophot Agbor Ewa Ebabni, stressed the cultural significance of the pact, describing it as “a collective decision to protect the vulnerable and preserve what is noble in our tradition.”
“Our culture must not be used as an excuse for abuse. Instead, we must embrace practices that promote peace, dignity, and justice,” he said.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, praised the inclusive nature of the initiative, revealing that the idea of the guideline emerged from feedback that local voices were previously sidelined in legislative processes.
“Our royal fathers challenged us to create room for local input. This guideline is their contribution to ensuring that our laws work where it matters most—at the community level,” she explained.
According to the pact’s terms, communities are now required to establish GBV Watch Committees, designate Safe Reporting Focal Points, and hold quarterly reviews to ensure continued compliance and accountability. Certain offences, including rape and child defilement, can no longer be mediated by traditional rulers and must be reported directly to law enforcement authorities.
Village Head of Obung, Ntufam Ignatius Enoh, described the development as a cultural turning point: “This is a bold move toward ending the degradation of our daughters in the name of tradition. It reflects our values and shows that we can change from within.”
The Akamkpa guideline is expected to serve as a model for other communities across Cross River and beyond, demonstrating how traditional institutions, when engaged meaningfully, can drive systemic change in the fight against GBV.
