NGO Boosts Campaigns to End Violence Against Women and Girls

James Sowole in Abeokuta

In an effort to mobilise stakeholders for actions that end practices encouraging Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), the non‑governmental organisation Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN) brought its campaign to Ilaro, the headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State.

The enlightenment programme, conducted as a Town Hall meeting, took place at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ilaro. It was attended by religious, traditional and youth leaders, as well as leaders of Community Development Associations (CDAs) and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the meeting, which continued a programme that began last year, CEWHIN Senior Programme Officer Julian Afachung urged stakeholders to collaborate in championing a sensitisation campaign on VAWG. He called for education in individual homes about women’s right to live a healthy and peaceful life without discrimination or intimidation.

The meeting, themed “Partnership for Enhanced VAWG Prevention Among Religious and Traditional Rulers,” was organised by CEWHIN with support from the Ford Foundation.

Afachung emphasised that all stakeholders must cooperate to ensure that women and girls live a good life free from intimidation or gender discrimination rooted in harmful cultural norms.

Participants identified harmful cultural practices such as lack of quality education for women, ignorance, greed, inter‑tribal marriages, inadequate pre‑marriage family background checks, religious misconceptions, poor moral upbringing by parents, distant parenting, and the effects of single parenting.

They agreed that synergy among all stakeholders is needed to combat harmful cultural practices and erroneous belief systems, thereby protecting women and girls from barbaric acts.

During the interactive session, stakeholders examined the social pressure system and cultural norms or stereotypes that contribute to harmful cultural violence, as well as factors that hinder effective prevention, such as social pressures, ignorance, and lack of quality education.

Participants shared personal experiences, noting that some cultural values remain relevant and beneficial for development, but agreed that enforcement and prosecution alone cannot eradicate harmful practices.

They urged CEWHIN to continue education and sensitisation campaigns targeting traditional rulers, religious institutions, and youths.

The meeting also suggested in‑depth education and re‑orientation programmes for parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders through routine engagement, empowering them to champion positive cultural values and redefine harmful practices that undermine human dignity.

Speaking with journalists, Chief Ayorinde Dawotola, the representative of the Olu of Ilaro, the Otun Agoro of Ilaro, and the Secretary of the Olu of Ilaro Council, explained that women and the female gender are being deprived of better development and opportunities to grow because of these harmful cultural practices and stereotype belief systems.

“You can see that the focus is on prevention of violence against women and children, especially the girl‑child, and it also addresses some cultural aspects of our life that are against women’s development. This is very harmful to women’s development. This is exactly what we have addressed,” he said.

“It is a continuous fight, I would say, because some of our cultural aspects actually do not give women a fair chance to grow and develop,” he added.

Ayorinde stressed that women face many challenges because these practices have hindered them. “They could not participate in many things because some things barricaded them from doing it,” he said.

Mrs. Adelakun Olukemi also spoke on the matter, saying that some mothers are guilty of harmful cultural violence against their children due to their attitudes and parenting choices. She explained that some mothers are too distant from their children, abandoning them to grow and develop on their own without basic guidance.

She added that pre‑wedding investigation of family background, once privileged information, is no longer given priority, citing problems with inter‑tribal marriages and other unusual partners in marital relationships.

Adelakun warned that mothers should return home and work on the missing links to save their children’s lives and futures from being victims of circumstance.

The stakeholders further appealed to men to empower their women economically, treat them with love, dignity, and respect.

Earlier in her welcome address, CEWHIN Senior Programme Officer Julian Afachung disclosed that the overall aim of the programme is to engage traditional and religious leaders in championing efforts to prevent the spread of violence against women and girls.

She advised leaders to use their influence responsibly and effectively to save society.