September 30, (THEWILL) — Two major communities in Akwa Ibom State, Ika and Uyo, have taken bold steps to abolish harmful widowhood practices and adopt community-led frameworks to prevent gender-based violence (GBV), marking a historic cultural shift in the state.
On September 17, 2025, the Ika Traditional Rulers Council, led by His Royal Majesty Edidem Joseph Okosi Ekot, Paramount Ruler of Ika, signed the Ika Community Covenant on GBV Prevention.
The covenant formally abolished dehumanising widowhood rites such as forced hair shaving and libation rituals.
The signing followed three days of community engagement involving traditional leaders, women and youth groups, elders, and civil society partners.
Okosi Ekot: “This is a new dawn for Ika,” a representative of HRM Edidem Okosi Our culture is not meant to destroy, but to preserve and protect. From this day, no widow in Ika shall suffer indignity in the name of tradition.”
An emotional highlight came when a community member recalled how his mother was forced to shave her head after his father’s death — a traumatic experience that scarred the family. With the new covenant, Ika vowed never to subject women to such practices again.
Similarly, in Uyo, the state capital, the Uyo Traditional Rulers Council, led by His Royal Majesty Edidem Sylvanus Effiong Okon, JP, Paramount Ruler of Uyo, adopted the Uyo Charter on Ending GBV after months of consultations and public declarations on September 15–16, 2025.
“This is a defining moment for Uyo,” HRM Okon affirmed.
“Our culture should heal, not harm. We stand united to ensure that every man, woman, and child in Uyo lives free from violence and discrimination.”
The charters in both Ika and Uyo were developed with technical support from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, UN Women, and the Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF), with funding from the Ford Foundation.
Ibrahim Nurudeen, Programme Specialist at UN Women, hailed the move:
“The courage shown by Ika and Uyo to abandon harmful widowhood practices is a powerful example of how culture can be transformed into a force for justice. These charters prove that when communities take ownership, real and lasting change is possible.”
Also speaking, Barr. Nkechi Udoh, Director of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Women Affairs, noted:
“Today, Ika and Uyo have restored the dignity of widows and given future generations of women hope. This is the kind of leadership that drives progress and inspires other communities to act.”
With these landmark covenants, Ika and Uyo have shown that cultural traditions can evolve to protect and uplift rather than dehumanise.
Their action is now seen as a model for other Nigerian communities in the fight against gender-based violence.
