The Ford Foundation Centre for Social Justice has hosted a hybrid event titled “Traditional, Religious, and Community Leaders Driving Meaningful Change,” with a focus on the issue of gender-based violence in West Africa.

Held as a part of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), the event was to mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, underscoring the foundation’s ongoing commitment to preventing gender-based violence and advancing justice and equity for women and girls.

The discussion centred on the critical role of traditional, religious, and cultural leaders in transforming harmful social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence.

The session featured a panel of leaders who are working with the Ford Foundation’s Office of West Africa to prevent violence against women and girls, challenge discriminatory social norms, and promote gender equality across the region.

The panelists included His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha; Father George Ehusani, Executive Director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation; Awwal Nasir, Imam and Project Advisory Board Member at the Development Research and Projects Centre.

The speakers shared their insights and experiences in challenging harmful norms and advocating for change. They highlighted various forms of gender-based violence, including physical violence, sexual assault, harmful widowhood practices, and the violence women sometimes face from other women, particularly in polygamous families.

They noted that these practices thrive because of what Igwe Achebe calls “the culture of silence” – a tendency to keep painful truths hidden within families and communities.

Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue in West Africa, where deep-rooted social and cultural norms, driven by patriarchy, continue to fuel inequality. Patriarchy often reinforces discriminatory practices that harm women and girls.

Speaking at the session, Sarita Gupta, vice president of U.S. Programmes at the Ford Foundation, stated: “We recognise the influence that traditional, religious, and community leaders have in shaping societal norms. By joining forces with local leaders who hold the respect and authority necessary to inspire transformation at the grassroots level, we can create lasting change that prevents violence and promotes gender equality.”