Traditional and council leaders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have pledged to abolish harmful cultural practices against women, a move hailed as a major step towards safeguarding women’s rights.

Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat, disclosed that the leaders had signed a formal commitment to end all forms of gender-based violence and discriminatory practices. She presented the signed document during the opening of a two-day dialogue on ending violence against women and girls (VAWG) organized by the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) in Abuja.

“I stand here today with proof of a historic commitment. This letter, signed by His Royal Highness, the Ona of Abaji, dated January 21, 2026, declares the immediate abolition of harmful practices against women and children in the FCT,” Benjamins-Laniyi said.

The declaration covers forced and child marriage, rape, all forms of sexual assault, domestic violence, child labor, child trafficking, street hawking exploitation, and humiliating practices such as virginity tests. A separate letter from the FCT Council of Chiefs reinforced the same commitment.

Yemisi Nathaniel, WRAPA Director of Programs, explained that violence against women often persists where harmful practices are spiritualized as patience or endurance instead of being addressed through proper religious interpretation and institutional accountability.

The two-day dialogue aims to showcase successful community-led and faith-based prevention models from WRAPA’s field experience and develop strategies to sustain reforms at policy, institutional, and community levels.

WRAPA also launched a research report titled “Evolving Trends: New Wine in Old Wineskins”, which examined the prevalence, drivers, and manifestations of VAWG across ten northern states. The findings revealed that domestic violence, rape, and emotional abuse remain widespread, often normalized by societal acceptance and weak enforcement of laws.