Tradition can drive social change and challenge harmful norms, says French envoy

The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Marc Fonbaustier says tradition is not static but a powerful medium used to question norms, challenge violence, and imagine new forms of balance in society.

Fonbaustier made the assertion on Thursday in Abuja at an event organised by the French embassy and its partners to end of the 2025 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The event was organised under the UNiTE campaign that is themed: “Unite to end Digital Violence against all Women and Girls’’.

Supreme news reports that the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is observed every year from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10.

The envoy said that the French embassy and its partners had implemented an intense programme which had more than 20 activities in 11 states in Nigeria.

He said that the programme involved 11 civil-society organisations with the aim of creating awareness on GBV.

According to him, the embassy together with its partners have delivered a simple but powerful message carried by the campaign slogan, “No gree for violence-No gree for GBV.’’

“To say it differently, do not accept violence, do not normalise it, speak up.

“These last days show that, among many other things, the relationship is first and foremost based on common values and a shared determination to protect women and girls, at home, in public spaces, or online.

“Tonight is about confronting digital violence that has become one of the main fronts in the struggle against GBV,’’ he said.

The French ambassador also said that the embassy wanted to share a moment of creativity with a show called `Nwanyibuife.’

“Society’s values are shaped by stories, images, and culture, and this is the reason we turn to Igbo land for inspiration.

“Nwanyibuife in Igbo means the woman is light, a person of substance, the single word carries a whole vision,’’ he said.

He also added that the night was an avenue to reiterate that culture was a catalyst for change.

He noted that the fight was part of a longer and deeper process that must continue throughout the year, in laws, budgets, schools, workplaces and crucially, on the internet.

He lauded the Ministry of Women Affairs for its presence saying it showed a strong signal that digital violence was taken seriously at the highest level in Nigeria.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, thanked the attendees for their presence and for listening to women’s appeals to end all forms of abuse against them.

The minister, represented by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Esuabana Asanye, lamented that the men women were created to support were instead traumatising them.

She appreciated the United Nations for making it possible for women to have the 16 days of activism.

She also thanked the French community in Nigeria for organising the event adding that even though the official campaign had closed, advocacy against gender-based violence would continue.

Supreme news reports that the night ended with a performance by Gerald Eze and Emmanuel Osahor reminding guests that no society could flourish when one gender was silenced, online or offline.