UMUAHIA – The Abia State Traditional Rulers Council has expressed its commitment in the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgement, which gives women the right as next of kin and entitled to inherit and own properties from the family estate, whether married or not.
The traditional rulers’ council made their resolve in a 10-point communiqué issued at the end of a one-day multi-stakeholder strategic conference comprising traditional rulers and Women Aid Collective, in partnership with the Ford Foundation.
According to the 10-point communiqué, signed by the state chairman of the council, Eze Joseph Nwabeke, they condemned all forms of violence against women and girls in the state and to show commitment to their empowerment.
The communiqué, which read in parts, further stated, “That we make commitments towards actions to codify community bye-laws and regulations in tandem with extant laws that will protect women and girls which will include rejection of harmful traditional widowhood practices.
“That we are committed to eliminating harmful traditional practices like early child or forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) which leads to high cases of VVF and harmful to the reproductive of the woman.
“That we are committed to respecting the rights of widows and widowers.
“That we are in support of ensuring equal opportunity to male and female children, especially in ending discrimination in education.
