Residents of several communities in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba State have called for urgent action to abolish harmful cultural practices among the Mumuye ethnic group, describing them as obstacles to social development and the wellbeing of women and girls.
The call was made on Monday at the palace of the Chief of Mumuye, Alhaji Ado Adamu Manzan, during activities marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Community representatives used the occasion to draw attention to cultural practices they said have sustained inequality and hindered development in the area. They appealed to the monarch, as the custodian of culture and tradition, to intervene by removing such practices from Mumuye customs, stressing that long-standing injustices have continued to marginalise women and other vulnerable groups.
Organisers of the event, the Women and Children Health Empowerment Foundation (WACHEF) and ActionAid Nigeria, also urged the traditional ruler and the Yorro Local Government leadership to enact bylaws to abolish harmful practices that disproportionately affect women and girls.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of WACHEF’s Board of Trustees, Dr Danjuma Garba, said gender-based violence remains prevalent in Yorro Local Government Area. He called on the monarch to work with the council leadership to introduce bylaws to address cultural practices he described as inimical to the overall development of the area.
Dr Garba, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Health Service Management Board, said WACHEF and ActionAid Nigeria are implementing interventions in eight communities in the council to address harmful practices and support vulnerable populations. He expressed optimism that sustained advocacy would bring about positive change.
He also raised concerns over the high prevalence of hepatitis in one of the communities and pledged WACHEF’s commitment to addressing the health challenge.
Also speaking, the Advisor for Partnership and Local Rights Programme at ActionAid Nigeria, Ms Hajara Opaluwa Adamu, identified poverty as a major driver of gender-based violence. She said the organisation is tackling the root causes of inequality through economic empowerment initiatives.
“At ActionAid Nigeria, we believe poverty is not accidental but the result of long-standing structural inequalities that deny women access to resources, opportunities and power. One of the most devastating consequences of this inequality is gender-based violence,” she said.
Ms Adamu announced the launch of an economic empowerment grant scheme targeted at women in Local Rights Programme communities. She presented cheques totalling over N3 million to women trained in various skills, explaining that the grants would serve as start-up or expansion capital for small businesses.
“These grants are not handouts but strategic investments in women’s resilience, dignity and leadership,” she said, adding that beneficiaries would receive continuous mentorship and business management training in collaboration with relevant government agencies.
A total of 70 women from Yorro and Gashaka Local Government Areas benefited from the grants. The benefiting communities include Bolimika, Dasso, Mika, Mazala, Nyaja Davo, Nyaladi Shumbo and Yali in Yorro, as well as Balewa, Mayang, Mayo Jakaza and Pumpo in Gashaka.
Responding to the appeals, the Chief of Mumuye, Alhaji Ado Adamu Manzan, pledged to urgently address the concerns raised and promised to take immediate steps to expunge all harmful cultural practices associated with the Mumuye ethnic group.