The Enugu state traditional rulers’ council has outlawed girl-child marriage and other forms of gender-based harmful practices in the state.
The development followed a multi stakeholders’ strategic conference between the council and WomenAid Collective.
Lawrence Agubuzu, chairman of the council, who signed a communique at the end of the meeting, said the council is committed to the abolition of the obnoxious practice of sacrificing the girl child to shrines, adding that the council also condemned all forms of violence against women and the girl child and is committed to their empowerment in the state.
The council, he further stated is committed to the abrogation of harmful traditional widowhood practices, including disinheritance of widows.
“We are committed to implementing the Supreme Court judgment that females have a right to inherit property from the family estate, whether married or not,” he said.
“We are also committed to actions to codify communal laws and regulations that will protect women and girls.”
He said the council supported the inclusion of women in the process of decision making on issues that affect them, adding that it also encouraged the inclusion of women in community leadership.
Accordin to him, the traditional institution will, henceforth, mediate in human and women’s rights’ cases, in line with state, national, regional and international human rights laws.
He added that the council has begun to sensitise residents of the state to do away with anti-human customs that still exist in southern Nigeria.
“Subsequently, we will have an Enugu state that is free from all forms of violence against women and girl child,” he said.
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