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By Akpan David, Calabar
Traditional chieftains and monarchs who encourage entrenched harmful traditional norms in his locality shall soon have their Certificates from government withdrawn.
Individuals who also persist in sexually harassing the opposite sex shall be running against a newly enacted state law called Violence Against Person Prohibition by being jailed for life or minimum of 14 years.
Director of Citizens Rights in the Cross River State ministry of justice, Barrister Justina Agbaji disclosed these during a public education and sensitisation organised by an NGO, Girls Power Initiative with supports from SHARE (Sharing Canadian Expertise For Inclusive Development and Gender Equality).
“There are steep traditional practices and norms which are very harmful and disadvantageous to the well being of the people irrespective of sex.
“We encourage victims assaulted over traditional norms to approach the law for justice.
“Traditional chieftains, any dignitaries or husbands or wives reported to us, such would be prosecuted and in the case of monarchs their certificates can be withdrawn.
“This law gives hope and protection both male and female, and it is very significant.”
She also disclosed that the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in several communitiies in Nigeria is a crime; and that there is a law that prohibits it.
She insisted that FGM should no longer be condoned in the country.
She also cautioned that widows should no longer be subjected to harmful traditional practices, and called for enlightenment against them.
Head of Girls’Power Initiative (GPI), Mrs Ndodeye Bassey-Obongha said social, traditional norms are fueling gender-based violence, female genital mutilation.
She also spoke against FGM. “There’s enormity of violence done to female genitalia during circumcision.
“Damages to the female genitalia during circumcision are incalculable, including inability to give birth, and husbands usually get new wives as a result.”
A large number of participants at the town hall meeting who were mostly women called for abolition of FGM.
