By George Ozalla
The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) has launched a new phase of intervention aimed at securing the freedom and reintegration of girls affected by the now-abolished child marriage practice known locally as “Money Woman” in the Becheve community of Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The engagement, which began on March 11 at the Obudu Cattle Ranch, brings together traditional authorities, families and community leaders to address the situation of girls who were pledged under the practice before its formal abolition in the community.
Centre LSD’s latest intervention builds on its earlier advocacy which led to a historic declaration on August 17, 2020 by the Paramount Ruler of Obanliku Local Government Area and the Traditional Council of Chiefs of Becheve Chiefdom abolishing the age-long tradition of child marriage in the community. The decision was further strengthened by a bye-law enacted by the Obanliku Local Government Legislative Council formally prohibiting the practice.
However, several girls who had already been promised, exchanged or paid for under the traditional arrangement prior to the 2020 declaration remain affected by the practice.
According to a press statement signed by the Programme Coordinator of Centre LSD, Dr Vincent Dania, the organisation is convening a series of dialogue and negotiation meetings from March 11 to March 13 involving the Traditional Council of Chiefs, families involved in the transactions and other community stakeholders to facilitate the release of the girls who were pledged before the abolition of the practice.
The organisation explained that the meetings are designed to close the remaining gaps after the abolition of the practice and ensure that all survivors regain their freedom and are supported to rebuild their lives.
The statement also indicated that Centre LSD will hold separate consultations with survivors to better understand their psychosocial, educational and livelihood needs. Insights from the consultations will guide the design of targeted support programmes aimed at helping the girls reintegrate into society with dignity and independence.
Dr Dania described the initiative as a crucial step in completing the community’s transition away from the harmful tradition.
He noted that while the abolition of the “Money Woman” practice in 2020 marked a significant milestone for the people of Becheve, the organisation is now working closely with traditional leadership and affected families to ensure that every girl who was pledged before the ban is released and given the opportunity to live a meaningful life with strengthened agency.
Historically, the “Money Woman” tradition involved the exchange of female children, sometimes even before birth, as repayment for debts owed by parents or relatives or as settlement for gifts and other obligations. In many cases, the girls were forced into lifelong domestic servitude and marital arrangements without their consent.
The practice was formally abolished following sustained advocacy and community engagement by Centre LSD under a UN Women-supported project focused on male engagement to address gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices and sexual and reproductive health rights in Cross River State.
Centre LSD said the current intervention seeks to ensure that no survivor of the practice is left behind in the community’s transition toward safeguarding the rights and dignity of women and girls.
The organisation also plans to connect the affected girls with psychosocial support services, educational opportunities, vocational training and economic empowerment programmes to help them rebuild their lives and become active contributors to their communities.
Centre LSD further called on government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts aimed at fully emancipating survivors of the practice and promoting the protection of women and girls against harmful traditional traditions.
