By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Wife of the governor of Cross River State. Bishop Eyoawan Bassey Otu, yesterday charged both religious and traditional rulers in Nigeria to take the lead in tackling sexual and gender-based violence, SGBV, by challenging harmful social norms in their domains.
Speaking with religious and traditional rulers and different groups at the State Library complex in Calabar at an event organized by the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, NGSF, in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, where she was represented by the wife of the Chief of Staff, CoS, to the governor of Cross River State, Associate Prof. Virginia Ironbark, Otu’s wife said, “Your presence here today reflects your commitment to building stronger, safer, and more united communities across Cross River State.”
Bishop Otu told the gathering that with determination and team work, sexual and gender based violence can be stopped.
The governor’s wife, who spoke on the theme ‘Advocacy for Prevention: Shifting Social Norms and Strengthening State Commitment to End Gender-Based Violence,’ emphasised that values and accountability shape every society.
She advocates collective action to eradicate the vice, saying that “every society is defined by the values it upholds and the behaviours it chooses to correct.”
She added, “The customs we preserve, the teachings we promote and the examples we set ultimately shape the character of future generations.”
Expressing concern over the continued prevalence of SGBV, the Cross River First Lady warned that it thrives in environments where silence is accepted as the norm.
She enthused, “Sadly, sexual and gender-based violence continues to affect countless women, girls, men and boys in our communities.
“It thrives where silence is mistaken for culture, where harmful practices are defended as tradition and where fear prevents victims from speaking out.”
She drew a firm distinction between culture and abuse, declaring, “Today, let us affirm one undeniable truth: Violence is not our culture. Abuse is not discipline. Protecting women, girls and every vulnerable member of society does not weaken our communities, it strengthens them.”
She further urged leaders to draw on the state’s faith and cultural foundations to drive change, adding, “Our faiths and our rich cultural heritage have always stood for justice, compassion, dignity and the protection of the vulnerable.”
Describing the role of the religious and traditional leaders as “indispensable,” she added, “As custodians of our traditions and spiritual guides to our people, your words carry authority, your actions inspire confidence and your example shapes public attitudes. When you speak against violence, communities listen.”
In her remarks, the Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Edema Irom, urged participants to translate lessons learnt into action in homes and communities.
Irem said, “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence remains one of the greatest threats to the dignity, health, safety and development of women and girls.”
She added that SGBV is sustained by harmful norms, unequal power relations, silence, stigma and delayed intervention.
Charging wives of the 18 local government chairmen in the state to lead advocacy at the grassroots, the women commissioner said, “Let your voices inspire change, your actions promote justice and your leadership encourage survivors to seek help without fear or shame.”
Earlier, an advocate of SGBV and founder of a civil society organization, ‘Basic Right Initiative,’ BRI, James Ibor Esq., urged parents to build capacity of the girl-child so that they can stand up for themselves whenever there are crises in their marriages.
