Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre

The Nibo Gender-Based Violence Response Team (NGBVRT) earlier this week participated in a radio program where the discussion focused on understanding and consequences of early marriage and its links to gender-based violence.

During the program, it was emphasized that marriage below 18 years is child abuse and is prohibited by law. Key causes highlighted included poverty, parental negligence, greed, and harmful cultural practices.

Listeners also called in to share their views, stressing the need for better parenting, stronger family support, and increased community awareness to prevent early marriage.

Week of 7th January 2026 Radio Episode on Cultural Practices and GBV: What Must Change and How

The radio episode aired during the week of 7th January 2026 focused on cultural practices and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), highlighting what must change and how change can happen.

Our guest was Mazi Obi Nwoye, Onye Ozioma Igbo, Founder and Coordinator of Otu Ozioma Igbo. He spoke on the topic and emphasized that, despite existing government laws, some cultural practices still hold people—especially women—captive. He noted that widows suffer the most. In some parts of Igbo land, when a woman loses her husband, she is restricted from going out for a complete three months. However, when a man loses his wife, he is free to move around without anyone questioning him.
He stated that non-compliance with laws is one of the reasons women and girls continue to be abused, exploited, and impregnated. When victims attempt to speak up, they are often silenced under the guise of “necessary cultural practices.”

Mazi Obi also spoke about the abuse faced by young women seeking for job after graduating from school. He explained that some girls are given the option of sleeping with men in exchange for appointment letters.
On how to change harmful cultural practices, he stressed the need for strong and strategic advocacy to traditional rulers, though Igbo cultures are not the same across communities.

During the call-in segment, many callers agreed that some cultural practices treat women and girls badly and deprive them of their rights and opportunities. However, Mohammed Nurudin, an Igbo Muslim from Igbo-Eze South LGA in Enugu State , and Philip from Agulu-Uzoigbo in Anambra State said that in their communities, cultural practices treat both men and women equally.