C’River Monarchs Rally Support to End GBV, Teenage Pregnancy
By Ekanem Asuquo
Traditional rulers in Cross River State have called for a unified and sustained effort by government agencies, civil society organisations, and local communities to combat the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and teenage pregnancies, especially in rural areas.
The call was made during a series of stakeholders’ engagement forums organised by the State Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with UN Women and with support from the Ford Foundation. The events, held across three local government areas, aimed to sensitise royal fathers and community leaders on the need to strengthen local responses to the growing threats facing women and girls.
At the forum in Creek Town, the Secretary of the Creek Town Traditional Rulers Council and a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ambassador Effefiong Eyo, underscored the importance of reviving traditional institutions as proactive agents of social change.
“Traditional leaders must no longer be passive observers but active protectors of the vulnerable in their domains,” he said.
Eyo highlighted the urgent need to intensify community advocacy and awareness of existing laws, including those targeting harmful traditional practices and GBV.
He lamented the lack of security presence in Creek Town, describing it as a haven for fleeing criminals responsible for a surge in cultism and teenage pregnancies.
“Our greatest challenge is the absence of security outfits in Creek Town. These fleeing criminal elements are behind the rising cases of teenage pregnancy and cult-related activities in our community,” he stated.
Effefiong further implored the state government to liaise with the Nigeria Police Force to refurbish and address the manpower challenges crippling the Divisional Police Station in Creek Town, describing it as a proactive step toward curbing the growing menace of insecurity in the area.
He also called for stronger collaboration to ensure the enforcement of laws protecting women and children, alongside the provision of youth-friendly health services and economic empowerment programmes.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ukelle Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Chief Ignatius Olam, declared the council’s willingness to abolish any outdated cultural practices that undermine human dignity, especially against women and girls.
“We are disposed to abolishing any law or cultural practice considered inhuman or harmful to the female gender. However, there must be a structured system for reporting, referrals, and prosecutions to make any meaningful progress,” he said.
Olam further stressed the need for widespread sensitisation campaigns and urged the police to align with the goals of the initiative to ensure effective implementation.
On his part, the Clan Head of Boje in Boki Local Government Area, HRH Leonard Akam, called for more aggressive rural enlightenment campaigns in local dialects to promote understanding of relevant laws.
"Government must set machinery in motion to enlighten rural dwellers, especially in vernacular, and ensure the enforcement of laws against child marriage, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, and harmful widowhood practices," he said.
He added that many community members and even some traditional leaders are unaware of important protective laws such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, the Child Rights Law, and the Widowhood Inheritance Law.
"Awareness creation and ensuring that the police are well-versed with these laws are critical to reducing the rising tide of abuse,” he noted.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mrs. Rita Eteng, said the forum was part of deliberate efforts to engage traditional rulers as key stakeholders in the fight against GBV.
She noted that the programme featured expository sessions on relevant state laws, interactive discussions, and question-and-answer segments.
