Traditional rulers, monarchs, UN Women Nigeria, and cultural leaders from across Africa have united in a pledge to strengthen community-led efforts to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV). The commitment was made on Monday at the Conference of African Traditional and Cultural Leaders on GBV Prevention, held in Lagos.
The conference, convened by UN Women and the Ford Foundation in partnership with the Government of Nigeria, brought together monarchs, policymakers, development partners, and civil society actors. The gathering was rooted in the recognition that sustainable solutions to GBV must be built upon cultural systems and traditional institutions, which shape social norms across the continent.
Professor Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health representing the Governor, described GBV as a major social crisis. Silence enables abuse, calling for “laws and community structures that protect, rather than harm women and girls,” Abayomi stated.
Heather Gerken, President of the Ford Foundation, emphasized the critical role of traditional institutions in driving social change. “Collaboration with traditional and faith leaders is essential to dismantling harmful practices and promoting the dignity and rights of women and girls,” Gerken said.
UN Women Deputy Executive Director, Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, expressed deep concern over practices justified as tradition. “Many practices accepted as tradition are, in reality, forms of abuse,” Gumbonzvanda noted. “Gender-based violence is a symptom of deeper structural inequalities that must be addressed through stronger norms and institutions that guarantee justice and equality.”
Echoing the focus on culture, UN Women’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Dr. Maxime Houinato, stated that, “traditional leaders are key architects of social order. Their alignment with justice and equality can significantly improve community safety.”
Traditional leaders present voiced strong support for reform. The Emir of Shonga, HRH Alhaji Dr. Haliru Yahaya Ndanusa, cautioned against misusing religion to justify violence. “Any action causing harm contradicts religious principles,” he stressed.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, urged leaders to leverage their influence. “I urge traditional rulers to champion dignity, equality, and justice to protect lives and transform communities,” Fall said.
Participants unanimously reaffirmed that traditional leaders must play a critical role in challenging harmful norms and strengthening GBV prevention and response mechanisms.
The conference is set to conclude with the adoption of a Regional Declaration and a Sustainability Roadmap, aimed at integrating traditional leadership into long-term national and regional strategies. Expected outcomes include strengthened partnerships among traditional institutions, governments, and civil society; improved community-level support for survivors; and enhanced resource mobilization to combat GBV across Africa.
Among the royal leaders in attendance were His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife; the Emir of Fika; the Emir of Shonga; and Chief Siansali of Zimbabwe.
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