The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) has begun efforts to secure the release of girls still trapped in child marriage arrangements under Cross River State’s abolished ‘Money Woman’ tradition, six years after the practice was outlawed.
The organisation said it was engaging traditional rulers, families and community leaders to secure the freedom of girls pledged before the practice was abolished in Becheve community, Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State, in August 2020.
In a statement issued on March 11, 2026, Centre LSD said it was holding dialogue and negotiation meetings from March 11 to 13 at Obudu Cattle Ranch to facilitate the release of the affected girls.
The meetings bring together the Traditional Council of Chiefs, families involved in the arrangements and other community leaders.
The organisation is also consulting survivors to assess their psychosocial, educational and livelihood needs to guide support programmes for their reintegration into society.
Programme Coordinator of Centre LSD, Dr Vincent Dania, described the intervention as a crucial step towards ending the practice and securing the freedom of the remaining victims.
“The abolition of the ‘Money Woman’ practice in 2020 was a historic milestone for the people of Becheve. However, some girls who had already been pledged before the abolition remain affected,” he said.
He added: “Our objective now is to work with traditional leadership and families to ensure that every victim of the practice is released and supported to reintegrate into society and lead meaningful lives with strengthened agency.”
The Money Woman tradition involved the exchange of girls, sometimes before birth, to settle debts owed by parents or relatives or fulfill other obligations. According to Centre LSD, some of the girls were subjected to forced marriages and lifelong domestic servitude without their consent.
The practice was formally abolished on August 17, 2020, following advocacy and community engagement by Centre LSD under a UN Women-funded project addressing gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices and sexual and reproductive health rights in Cross River State.
The abolition was declared by the Paramount Ruler of Obanliku Local Government Area and the Traditional Council of Chiefs of Becheve Chiefdom. The Obanliku Local Government Legislative Council subsequently enacted a by-law prohibiting the practice.
Beyond securing the survivors’ release, Centre LSD said it planned to link them with psychosocial support, educational opportunities, vocational training and economic empowerment programmes to help them rebuild their lives.
The organisation called on government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and members of the public to support efforts to secure the survivors’ freedom and reintegration.
It reaffirmed its commitment to working with traditional institutions, government authorities and community leaders to end harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and dignity of women and girls.
