Ooni, Traditional Institution, Stakeholders Rally Against GBV in Osun
By Sola Aderinto,
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The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR Ojaja II, the Osun state Traditional Institution, government officials, civil society organisations, and development partners have renewed calls for stronger action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Osun State, stressing the need for community-based solutions, cultural reforms, and protection for vulnerable groups.
The call was made during the Osun State Convening of Traditional Rulers on GBV Prevention themed, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Community Protection,” held in Osogbo, Osun state.
Representing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Muraina Adebanjo Adedini, the Asoya of Ile-Asoya Kingdom Ife land, said traditional rulers must not remain silent in the face of violence, abuse, intimidation, and harmful cultural practices affecting women and children.
Delivering the message of the Oonirisa, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR Ojaja II, the royal representative described Gender Based Violence, GBV as one of the most painful social challenges confronting society, noting that it leaves emotional, psychological, social, and economic scars on victims and communities.
He stressed that traditional institutions remain custodians of justice, morality, and communal harmony, adding that palaces must continue to serve as safe spaces where victims can seek refuge, guidance, and justice.
“We must stand firmly against domestic violence, child abuse, sexual violence, harmful widowhood practices, forced marriages, and every act that diminishes human dignity,” he stated.
Also speaking, Oba Dr. Abolarin Adedokun, Chairman of the Multistakeholders Action Committee for GBV Prevention in Osun State, urged traditional rulers to move beyond preserving culture to becoming active champions against violence and injustice.
According to him, the committee, established in 2024 under the MAP-GBV Project with support from ActionAid Nigeria and funding from the Ford Foundation, has carried out community sensitisation campaigns, stakeholder dialogues, and awareness programmes across the state.
He said the project had begun changing attitudes within communities, encouraging survivors to speak up while promoting accountability among community leaders.
“History will remember us for the decisions we made. Harmful practices can continue because a traditional ruler remained silent, but they can also end because a traditional ruler chose to speak,” he said.
The Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Hon Jimi Bada SAN in the first keynote address said, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to combating GBV through legal reforms, improved access to justice, and collaboration with stakeholders.
The Attorney General represented by Barrister Tijani Adekilekun Kareem noted that Osun State had strengthened legal frameworks through laws such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, the Child Rights Law, and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Law.
He explained that the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Women Affairs, Security agencies, and Health institutions were working together to ensure survivors receive justice, medical support, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society.
The Commissioner added that plans were underway to establish a Gender-Based Response Team to maintain records of GBV cases and ensure effective enforcement of laws protecting women and children.
He said the Osun State Government had strengthened legal and institutional frameworks, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, to ensure justice for victims and accountability for offenders.
In the second Keynote address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Hon Ayobola Awolowo, represented by Ms Lola Adewale, described the engagement as important and commended government efforts on gender protection.
She recognised the powerful role of the traditional institutions as custodians of culture, values, and communal harmony, while also challenging all collectively to become active champions in protecting the vulnerable and confronting harmful norms that enable violence and abuse, adding that Culture must never become an excuse for violence.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs opined that Gender Based Violence remains one of the most devastating social challenges of our time, adding that Violence leaves wounds far deeper than the physical. It destroys confidence, destabilizes families, weakens communities, and undermines the moral foundation of society itself.
According to her, as a government, we have taken a clear and uncompromising stand that violence against women and girls has no place in Osun State. Under the leadership of His Excellency – Governor Ademola Adeleke – the Government of Osun State has continued to strengthen legal and institutional responses to Gender-Based Violence through strategic reforms, stakeholder collaboration, public sensitization, and improved access to justice.
She positioned that the VAPP Law has the necessary teeth to tackle all forms of violence and assault against our women, girls and even our men, and that the ministry has a Succour Centre for survivors, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Security Agencies, Non-govermental organisation among others.
In his address, the ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, represented by Mr Kehinde Arowosegbe commended the collaboration between the Osun State Government, traditional rulers, and civil society groups in tackling GBV.
The organisation said the MAP-GBV initiative had helped establish community GBV watch teams, appointed focal persons for case management, and encouraged religious and traditional leaders to publicly speak against violence and harmful practices.
Across Nigeria, ActionAid has continued to change lives, strengthen institutions, and catalyse transformation. From supporting women’s political participation, to strengthening community resilience, to addressing harmful social norms that perpetuate violence, our work is guided by one clear belief: real and lasting change happens when communities themselves become the drivers of transformation.
This is the spirit behind the Multistakeholders Action for Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Project-MAP-GBV. Supported by the Ford Foundation, this initiative was designed not merely as a project, but as a movement to reimagine how communities confront and prevent violence against women and girls.
“To ensure that future generations will say that this was the moment when traditional leadership rose decisively to defend the dignity of women and girls. ActionAid Nigeria remains fully committed to walking this journey with you. We will continue to provide technical support, facilitate dialogue, strengthen structures, and build the partnerships necessary for sustained change in our communities.”
“Let this convening mark not another conversation, but a collective turning point. Let it be remembered as the moment Osun State’s traditional rulers declared with one voice that violence has no place in our communities.”
“The future of our daughters and sons depends on the courage of today’s leadership. And there is no doubt that this room holds the champions our communities need.”
The representative stressed that lasting change would only occur when community leaders actively challenge harmful norms and defend the dignity and safety of women and girls.
Participants at the gathering called for stronger collaboration among traditional rulers, government agencies, religious leaders, the media, and civil society organisations to improve awareness, reporting mechanisms, survivor support systems, and community protection across Osun State.
Highlight of the programme was the dialogue session between the traditional rulers and government representatives, and signing of the Commitment pledge on Gender Based Violence Prevention in Osun state.