The wife of the Cross River State Governor, Eyoanwan Otu, has urged traditional rulers to champion the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) by confronting harmful cultural practices and encouraging communities to protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
She also called on them to work closely with governments, civil society organisations (CSOs) and community structures to prevent gender-based violence, support lawful interventions that protect survivors, ensure perpetrators are held accountable and encourage victims to seek help without fear, shame or stigma.
Otu made the call on Friday, at a town hall meeting on SGBV organised by the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, Humanity Without Borders and the Okonjo-Iweala Foundation in Calabar.
“Your words carry authority, your actions inspire confidence and your example shapes public attitudes. When you speak against violence, communities listen; when you stand for justice, harmful norms begin to change; when you protect the vulnerable, hope is restored.
“Today’s engagement is not about assigning blame but about embracing our shared responsibility to build communities where every individual is treated with dignity and respect,” she said.
Represented by the wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Associate Professor Virginia Ironbar, Otu said every society is defined by the values it upholds and the behaviour it chooses to correct.
“The customs we preserve, the teachings we promote and the examples we set ultimately shape the character of future generations,” she said.
The governor’s wife lamented that sexual and gender-based violence continues to affect women, girls, men and boys, warning that it thrives where silence is mistaken for culture, harmful practices are defended as tradition and fear prevents victims from speaking out.
“Violence is not culture. Abuse is not discipline. Protecting women, girls and every vulnerable member of society does not weaken our communities; it strengthens them.
“Our faith and rich cultural heritage have always stood for justice, compassion and the protection of the vulnerable. These enduring values must continue to guide our response to the challenges of our time. This is where your leadership is indispensable as custodians of our traditions and spiritual guides,” she added.
Otu commended the traditional and religious leaders for their unwavering service and said their participation at the meeting reflected their commitment to building stronger, safer and more united communities across Cross River State.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Edema Irom, urged participants to translate the knowledge gained at the meeting into concrete action in their homes, communities, institutions and local government areas.
She described gender-based violence as one of the greatest threats to human dignity, safety and development, noting that it is sustained by harmful social norms, unequal power relations, silence, stigma and delayed intervention.
Irom specifically urged the wives of chairmen of the state’s 18 local government areas to become champions and advocates against gender-based violence in their respective councils.
“Let your voices inspire change, your actions promote justice and your leadership encourage survivors to seek help without fear or shame,” she said.
She further called on all stakeholders to intensify public awareness of the causes, forms and consequences of gender-based violence while promoting healthy family relationships, positive masculinity and respect for the rights and dignity of every individual.
Addressing traditional rulers, faith-based leaders, community leaders, youth groups, women associations and the media, Irom urged them to use every available platform to educate the public, condemn all forms of violence and encourage victims to report cases through appropriate channels.
She also advocated stronger collaboration among government ministries, security agencies, the judiciary, health institutions, social welfare services and development partners to ensure survivors receive timely, confidential and survivor-centred support while perpetrators are brought to justice.
“A situation where a perpetrator serially rapes members of the community and continues to move around freely must not be tolerated. We need to bring perpetrators to justice,” she said.