The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development (Centre LSD) will be holding a Becheve Youth Congress in collaboration with the Ranch Youth Movement on December 14, 2022, at the Obudu Mountain Resort in Cross River State, Nigeria.
The congress, which is supported by the EU-UN Spotlight initiative, aims to mobilize young people in Becheve communities to brainstorm ways to support survivors of the harmful “money woman” tradition, implement the byelaw prohibiting the practice, and strategize on how to rebrand the image of Becheve for better opportunities.
The “money woman” tradition, also known as Ukewe-Enguloh, involves the forced marriage of young girls to wealthy men in exchange for money. This practice has been linked to physical and psychological abuse, social isolation, and economic disadvantage. It was officially abolished in September 2020, but its harmful effects continue to be felt in Becheve communities.
A statement released by Vincent Dania – programme coordinator at Centre LSD said the Becheve Youth Congress will provide a platform for young people to come together and share their ideas and experiences. It will also feature workshops and panel discussions on topics such as the rights of women and girls, the role of the media in promoting positive change, and the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty. There will also be a presentation by survivors of the “money woman” tradition.
Through the congress, Centre LSD and the EU-UN Spotlight initiative hope to empower young people to take a stand against the harmful tradition and work towards a brighter, more equitable future for all. By bringing together young people from Becheve communities, we hope to inspire a new generation of leaders to act against the harmful practice and work towards a better future for the community.
