The International Federation of Women Lawyers Nigeria has called on both government institutions and community stakeholders to intensify efforts aimed at dismantling harmful cultural and religious practices that perpetuate violence against women and girls.
Speaking during a forum held in Ado Ekiti, FIDA’s National President, Mrs. Eliana Martins—represented by the Ekiti State Chairperson, Mrs. Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards—emphasised the importance of fostering gender justice at the grassroots. The event, titled the State Experiential Learning and Sharing Forum on Violence Against Women and Girls Prevention, was organised in collaboration with the Ford Foundation.
According to Martins, the initiative builds on earlier engagements held between October 2024 and April 2025. These sessions focused on assessing the impact of short-term interventions, evaluating outcomes, and documenting feedback from project beneficiaries.
The latest forum aimed to reflect on progress made in addressing gender-based violence (GBV), share key lessons, and discuss persistent challenges in coordinating efforts among traditional, religious, and state actors.
Olowoyo-Richards noted the positive responses recorded from various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission, and the State House of Assembly. She added that some community leaders had also begun to take active roles in anti-GBV advocacy.
“Since we began these engagements, there’s been a noticeable shift in how communities across Ekiti State are responding to gender-based violence,” she said. “FIDA remains committed to public education and ongoing sensitisation.”
Echoing this, Fiki Obaro, FIDA’s Senior Manager for Programmes and Partnerships, highlighted encouraging signs of collaboration between community leaders and state institutions.
Obaro underscored the importance of strengthening local structures to ensure long-term impact, saying, “With the sustained support of traditional, religious, and government bodies, we are on track toward meaningful reduction—if not eradication—of gender-based violence in the state.”
