Residents of several communities in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba State have renewed calls for the abolition of harmful cultural practices within the Mumuye ethnic group, describing such traditions as obstacles to development and serious threats to 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 an event organised to mark the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual campaign that runs from November 25 to December 10. The campaign is observed worldwide to raise awareness about violence against women and girls and to promote actions that can end such abuse.
Community leaders, women’s groups and civil society organisations gathered at the palace to openly discuss cultural practices they said have continued to promote inequality, silence victims and slow down social and economic progress in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the communities, residents explained that while culture plays an important role in preserving identity and unity, some traditions have become harmful and no longer serve the interests of the people. They said these practices mostly affect women and girls, limiting their rights, opportunities and voices in decision-making.
The residents appealed directly to the Chief of Mumuye, as the custodian of Mumuye culture and traditions, to use his authority to remove such practices from the customs of the ethnic group. They stressed that urgent reforms were needed to address long-standing injustices that have kept many women in disadvantaged positions.
According to them, harmful practices have contributed to gender-based violence, poor access to education for girls, early marriages, and exclusion of women from leadership roles. They warned that without change, the younger generation would continue to suffer the same challenges faced by their parents.
The event was organised by the Women and Children Health Empowerment Foundation (WACHEF) in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria. Both organisations used the occasion to call on traditional rulers and the Yorro Local Government Council to support reforms by introducing bylaws that would ban harmful practices and protect the rights of women and children.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of WACHEF’s Board of Trustees, Dr Danjuma Garba, said gender-based violence remains widespread in Yorro Local Government Area. He described the situation as worrying and called for collective action by traditional institutions, local authorities and civil society groups.
Dr Garba, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Health Service Management Board, urged the Chief of Mumuye to work closely with the local government leadership to develop and enforce bylaws that would address harmful cultural practices.
He explained that such practices not only harm individuals but also affect the overall development of communities by limiting the contribution of women to social and economic life.
Dr Garba also highlighted ongoing interventions by WACHEF and ActionAid Nigeria in eight communities within Yorro Local Government Area. According to him, these interventions focus on ending harmful cultural practices, improving access to healthcare, and supporting vulnerable groups, especially women and children.
He expressed optimism that continuous engagement with community leaders and sustained advocacy would lead to positive change. He also raised concerns about the high rate of hepatitis reported in one of the communities, noting that the foundation is committed to addressing the health challenge through awareness campaigns and support services.
Also speaking at the event, the Advisor for Partnership and Local Rights Programme at ActionAid Nigeria, Hajara Opaluwa Adamu, identified poverty as a major factor driving gender-based violence in many rural communities.
She explained that women who lack access to education, income and resources are more likely to experience abuse and less likely to speak out or seek help.
“At ActionAid Nigeria, we believe poverty is not accidental. It is the result of long-standing inequalities that deny women access to resources, opportunities and power,” she said. “One of the most painful outcomes of this inequality is gender-based violence.”
Adamu said ActionAid Nigeria is tackling the root causes of inequality by supporting economic empowerment programmes for women. According to her, helping women earn income and gain skills gives them confidence and reduces their vulnerability to abuse.
As part of the intervention, she announced the launch of an economic empowerment grant scheme for women in Local Rights Programme communities. During the event, cheques worth over N3 million were presented to women who had been trained in various skills, including tailoring, food processing and small-scale trading.
She explained that the grants are meant to help beneficiaries start or expand small businesses, stressing that they are not gifts but investments in the future of women and their families.
“These grants are not handouts. They are strategic investments in women’s strength, dignity and leadership,” Adamu said. She added that the women would also receive ongoing mentorship and training in business management, in partnership with relevant government agencies.
A total of 70 women from Yorro and Gashaka Local Government Areas benefited from the grant scheme. 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 Local Government Area.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support, saying the grants would help them become financially independent and better support their families.
Responding to the concerns raised by residents and the appeals from WACHEF and ActionAid Nigeria, the Chief of Mumuye, Alhaji Ado Adamu Manzan, promised to take immediate action.
He assured the gathering that he would work with other traditional leaders and stakeholders to identify and remove all harmful cultural practices associated with the Mumuye ethnic group.
The traditional ruler acknowledged that culture must evolve to reflect present realities and protect the dignity of all members of the community. He said traditions that cause harm or promote injustice have no place in a modern society.
The event ended with renewed calls for unity, dialogue and continued advocacy to ensure that women and girls in Yorro and surrounding communities can live free from violence and discrimination.