On 19 August 2026, in Becheeve Kingdom, we witnessed something deeply powerful - not simply a meeting, but a community affirming that every woman and girl deserves the freedom to choose her own future. For generations, the Money Woman practice placed women and girls in difficult circumstances, often limiting their freedom, choices and opportunities.

But change is possible when communities come together. From the first engagements under the Spotlight Initiative in 2019, to years of dialogue, advocacy, and engagement with traditional institutions and community leaders, the journey has been one of persistence, courage and collective responsibility. And on this day, the message from the traditional institution was unequivocal:

“There shall never be anything like Money Woman tradition.” The reaffirmation by HRM Amb. Dr. Amos Item, Paramount Ruler of Obanliku LGA, was more than a declaration. It was a commitment to protect the dignity, freedom and autonomy of women and girls and to ensure that the decision to end the practice becomes a lasting reality within the community. For Centre LSD, this moment represents what meaningful development looks like: listening to communities, working with traditional leadership, supporting survivors, creating pathways for economic empowerment, and standing with people as they build a better future.

Perhaps the most touching part of the day was hearing voices from within the community acknowledge the significance of the journey. From the youth who thanked the traditional leaders and Centre LSD for helping to bring an age-old practice to an end, to community members who have personally witnessed the pain caused by the practice, the message was clear:

This is not just about ending a tradition. It is about restoring choice. It is about restoring dignity. It is about giving women the freedom to dream, decide and determine their own futures.

As survivors receive their liberation/redemption support and pathways toward livelihoods are strengthened, the work continues. A five-member community Vanguard against Gender-Based Violence has also been inaugurated to help safeguard the progress made and prevent a return to harmful practices. We honour the courage of the survivors. We honour the traditional leaders who chose to lead change. We honour the community members who embraced a new path. And we honour every partner, advocate and ally who has kept this work alive.

The abolition of Money Woman is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new chapter, one where freedom, dignity and opportunity become the inheritance we leave for the next generation. Centre LSD - working with forces of positive change to empower citizens and transform society.

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