Practices
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, Dec. 11, 2025 (NAN) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and other Stakeholders on Thursday renewed their calls for an end to discriminatory practices against women and girls.
They made the call in Abuja at a consultative forum on eliminating harmful traditional and religious practices impacting the rights of women and gender equality in Nigeria.
The forum was organised by the NHRC in partnership with Legal Defence and Assistance Project ( LEDAP), and Ford Foundation .
Speaking, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, noted that gender-based violence and harmful practices ranged from female genital mutilation and child marriages.
He said discriminatory inheritance laws and dehumanising widowhood rites remained a serious threat to Nigerian women and girls.
He said that the NHRC received over 50,000 complaints relating to gender-based violence and harmful practices between January and November 2025.
He noted the role of traditional and religious leaders in changing social norms.
He urged them to help condemn harmful practices and support girls’ education and the rights of survivors.
Ojukwu also urged law enforcement, the justice sector, health and social services to improve training, survivor-centred services, and access to justice.
” These practices deny girls the right to education and health. They rob women of economic opportunity and autonomy.
“These practices also undermine community well-being and impede national development” he lamented.
Ojukwu said the commission investigates complaints, point out compliance with human rights standards.
He urged government to engage in public education and collaborate with partners to ensure that remedy and accountability for weaklings occur.
“Hence the need for our pushing the campaign for ending all forms of violence against women” he said.
Also speaking, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, represented by the Director of Legal Services, Adesewa Okundaye, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ending harmful practices against women and girls.
The minister further also efforts towards promoting women’s rights, and strengthening social protection programs under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She highlighted statistics from the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, including low female literacy rates, widespread malnutrition, and continued prevalence of female genital mutilation.
This, she said, is evidence that there is urgent need for reform in discriminatory practices against women and girls.
Speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs,Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, in his goodwill message stated that the importance of tackling harmful practices cannot be overemphasised.
Dr Aminu Hayatu, representative of the Sultan, stated the importance of engaging religious leaders in the discourse.
He stressed that these practices if not checked becomes a norm and way of life for the people.
Chino Obiagwu, SAN, National Coordinator of LEDAP, spoke on “Empowering Traditional Rulers in Nigeria to Adopt and Implement Community Guidelines for Gender Equity and Non-Discrimination Against Women.”
He emphasised the important role of traditional and religious leaders in influencing community norms and promoting women’s rights.
He noted the power of consultation with community leaders and religious leaders and the importance of creating awareness amongst them.(NAN)(,www.nanews.ng)
NEO/SH
=======
Edited by Sadiya Hamza