The Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it is developing a community-led response system model to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other harmful practices.
By Philip Yatai
The Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it is developing a community-led response system model to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other harmful practices.
The Mandate Secretary, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi stated this in Abuja on Friday, during a strategic engagement between the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association (WOFCTTRA) and Ford Foundation.
Benjamins-Laniyi said that the initiative was growing strong through partnerships with regional and international organisations like the European Union and UN Women.
She added that the model, if successful, would be scaled to the six geopolitical zones of the country.
She added that the model would be inclusive, combining legal frameworks, royal institutional support, and community-level mobilisation.
According to her, traditional rulers and their wives have a crucial role in institutionalizing the initiative in their communities.
“Their voices can shift narratives and influence long-held beliefs.”
The mandate secretary said that the engagement with Ford Foundation centered around addressing harmful cultural practices, particularly Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
She identified other areas as breast pressing and killing of twins and triplets, and the broader issues of GBV, reproductive rights, and women’s autonomy.
She added that the meeting involving WOFCTTRA, the ford foundation and other development partners was to explore strategic interventions and community-led solutions to GBV and other harmful practices in communities.
“There are still communities within the FCT, where killing of twins, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, child marriage and harmful practices still persists.
“Despite past efforts to abolish these acts, they persist underground within certain communities,” she said.
Speaking on cultural change and sensitisation, Dr Izeduwa Derex-Briggs, Programme Officer, Ford Foundation, West Africa, stressed that legislation alone would not stop a cultural norm.
According to her, the people themselves must change their mindset.“They need to see positive examples—twins and triplets from other regions who live healthy, celebrated lives.
“The same applies to harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Even with laws in place, the practice continues due to deeply rooted beliefs.