By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

Kpaduma community leaders in the Federal Capital Territory have formally abolished forced marriage and several other harmful traditional practices following an intensive four-day community engagement. The community also adopted a comprehensive guideline for preventing and responding to Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The initiative, implemented by UN Women Nigeria in collaboration with ASVIOL Support Initiative and funded by the Ford Foundation, marks a significant turning point in safeguarding the rights of women and girls within the community.

The engagement brought together traditional rulers, women’s groups, youth representatives, religious leaders, and other key stakeholders to deepen understanding of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), strengthen accountability structures, and jointly develop a community-owned prevention and response framework.

Throughout the sessions, UN Women and ASVIOL sensitised residents on their rights, the importance of timely reporting, and the support services available for survivors. Participants also held focused discussions identifying prevalent forms of violence in the community, including rape, domestic abuse, child and early marriage, economic violence, drug and substance abuse, and other cultural practices that undermine the safety and dignity of women and girls.

Stakeholders emphasised the critical role of traditional rulers in driving behavioural change and serving as frontline advocates in the fight against SGBV. They stressed that community leaders are instrumental in challenging harmful norms, promoting positive conduct, and reinforcing collective responsibility for protection and justice.

A key outcome of the engagement was the co-creation of the Kpaduma Community Guidelines for Preventing and Responding to SGBV, which outline preventive actions, clear reporting channels, sanctions for offenders, and the community’s shared commitment to ending all forms of violence.

The exercise culminated in a public declaration led by Chief Yusuf Dio, Zaki Sa’Kpadumayi of Kpaduma III, who, alongside the Traditional Rulers’ Council, formally announced the abolition of the following harmful practices within the community:

Rape and Sexual Violence

Domestic Violence

Child and Early Marriage

Economic Abuse

Drug and Substance Abuse

Harmful Traditional Practices

The guidelines take immediate effect and signal a renewed pledge by the people of Kpaduma to protect women, girls, and vulnerable groups, and to uphold dignity, safety, and justice in the community.

Representatives of ASVIOL Support Initiative and UN Women commended the leadership of Kpaduma for its decisive action and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting grassroots efforts aimed at transforming harmful social norms, strengthening community protection systems, and advancing a Nigeria free from all forms of violence.