By Stellamaries Amuwa, Abuja
Ahead of the 2025 International Women’s Day(IWD) celebration, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, has collaborated with traditional rulers in the Federal Capital Territory, to champion the rights of rural women.
The collaboration aims to amplify the voices of rural women, who often grapple with barriers such as limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Accelerating Action for Gender Equality: The Voice of Rural Women,” NAWOJ FCT Chairperson, Comrade Bassey Ita-Ikpang, emphasized the urgent need for deliberate action to ensure rural women are not left behind in the fight for gender equality, economic empowerment and social justice.
“We acknowledge the invaluable role traditional rulers play in shaping communities. Through this partnership, we will create platforms for rural women to share their stories, advocate for their rights, and drive meaningful change,” she said.
The Wife of the Ona of Abaji and President of the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association, HRM Hajiya Hauwa Ibrahim, reaffirmed the traditional rulers’ commitment to the cause, highlighting the prevalence of gender-based violence in rural communities.
“Even at the palace, we encounter many cases of gender-based violence, most times unreported, owing to several unjustifiable factors, this collaboration with NAWOJ FCT is timely and necessary. The 17 chiefs of the FCT stand ready to support this movement that I believe will drive positive change for women and children,” she stated.
She also shared the origin of the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association, which was established in 2019 following the advice of former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, to create a unified front for advancing women’s causes.
With this landmark collaboration, NAWOJ FCT and traditional rulers are set to break barriers, amplify rural women’s voices, and drive lasting change across communities in the FCT.
