Traditional chiefs vow to fight abuses against girls

Traditional chiefs in Togo, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the government, have agreed to support efforts against violence on girls through a 'national league' -in commemoration of the International Day of the Child that was celebrated on 20 November.

The chiefs, attending a seminar organised by UNFPA and the Togo Ministry of Social Affairs on Monday, agreed to set up watchdog committees and conduct awareness campaigns against abuse of children, especially trafficking, confinement in voodoo shrines, genital mutilation, torture, forced marriages and other forms of sexual harassment.

“Violence is an age-old problem that has become part of our historical behaviour,” Ouro-Akondo Yerima, a traditional chief from northern Togo, said. “Girls are marginalised in our society but we are ready to change this situation.”

Under the theme ‘Violence against girls and its consequences’, the seminar targeted traditional chiefs. “Chiefs have a big role to play in the eradication of this scourge. They are on the ground and know families that can intervene effectively with parents who mistreat their children”, Social Affairs Minister Ashira Assih said.

"Watchdog committees have been set up to monitor the reintegration of children and prevent any type of violence against them,” the minister who chaired the seminar said. Already 65 girls rescued after a ship that was taking them to Gabon capsised in July are being monitored by watchdog committees of chiefs and opinion leaders.

Child trafficking increased in West African nations over the past decade. In Togo most victims are girls who are usually lured by agents that approach their families with a promise to give the children money, education and shelter abroad, the seminar heard. Once the parents agree, the children are taken to countries like Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon where they become virtual slaves subjected to long working hours, and beatings.

It is the practise of female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female excision, which the Togo government is also fighting that has become less widespread. It is now punishable by law and awareness campaigns against it have intensified.

"The main problem with girls is confinement in shrines, where they are made to take care of fetishes. Shrine attendants are often at the mercy of voodoo priests who force them to become their wives," one traditional Chief said of his area.

Chief Adoboli Gassou IV, secretary-general of the Union des chefs traditionnels du Togo (Union of Traditional Chiefs of Togo) said there was no longer child trafficking nor FGM in his chiefdom except “women are looked down on and kept away from decision-making”.

Gassou said hitting a girl or a woman in his area was punishable by law, while another chief said more girls were attending secondary school in his area, unlike a few years ago when hardly any did. "People have begun to realise the advantages of sending girls to school," he said.