By John Ogunsemore
Security agencies in the country have been charged to treat issues of domestic abuse as serious criminal offences rather than private family matters.
This was part of resolutions and recommendations made at Nigeria’s first Men-Only Townhall Meeting held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Tuesday.
A copy of the communique released after the townhall meeting, which is an initiative of Women Radio 91.7 with support from Ford Foundation and Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, was sent to Daily Sun.
The meeting which had in attendance custodians of our culture, traditional rulers, faith leaders, security officials, government officials, community advocates, among others, held in continuation of the national conversation on promoting cultural values that protect and empower women and girls.
Faith leaders across all religions were encouraged to routinely speak on issues relating to family values and the protection of women and girls during sermons and community gatherings.
Security agencies were charged to uphold the rule of law by treating all forms of abuse, particularly issues of abuse as serious criminal offences instead of private family matters.
The stakeholders noted that caring for women and girls is not optional but a mandatory role of every family, community and government institution.
According to the communique, cultural values that promote respect, dignity and protection of women must be intentionally taught to boys and men as part of their rite of passage.
“It was recommended that, as a criterion, no man should be bestowed with a traditional title unless he has demonstrably empowered a woman within the community,” the communique reads.