By Queen Kunde
The Association of Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers (WOFCTTRA) has taken bold steps to strengthen traditional justice systems in the fight against early marriage, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), and gender discrimination.
On Wednesday, the group organized a landmark joint community town hall meeting for Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils, drawing traditional rulers, community leaders, women’s groups, youth, and religious leaders together for a united stand against social vices affecting women, girls, and vulnerable groups.
Declaring the event open, the Aguma of Gwagwalada and Chairman of the Gwagwalada Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Mohammed Magaji, gave his blessings and praised the initiative as a game-changer in protecting grassroots communities.
“We are really grateful for the mass efforts our wives, the Queens in the FCT traditional councils, are doing. Their interventions have helped reduce cases of gender-based violence across our communities,” he said, pledging his full support for the initiative backed by the MacArthur Foundation through the Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED).
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the association, Vice President of WOFCTTRA, HRH Haj. Aisha Mohammed Magaji, emphasized that traditional justice systems remain vital for peacebuilding and justice delivery. She called for collective action to create safe spaces for women and girls.
“Together, let us ensure that our daughters are free to grow and thrive without the fear of early marriage, and that fairness and dignity define how justice is served in our land,” she said.
The meeting also provided a platform for advocacy groups and community stakeholders to speak out. Dorcas Edet, representing the Dorathy Njemanze Foundation, condemned the persistent stigmatization of young girls who report sexual harassment and assault.
“When victims speak up, society blames them by asking what they were wearing, instead of punishing perpetrators. This must stop,” she urged.
Other participants, including Mrs. Sarauniya Erondu, President of the Market Women Association, Jessa Felicia of Jessa’s Widows Foundation, and Reverend Dangana Mathew echoed the call for an end to social vices, urging proper parenting, collective vigilance, and respect for human dignity.
The town hall also highlighted growing but under-reported cases of sexual harassment and rape of men in the FCT, a challenge that stakeholders agreed requires urgent intervention.
The event was well attended by representatives of the NCWS, FOMWAN, WOWICAN, youth groups, market women associations, traditional and religious institutions all pledging to sustain the fight against early marriage, SGBV, and gender discrimination in FCT communities.
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