A major cultural shift has taken place in Cross River State as community leaders, with support from Centre LSD, abolished the controversial “Money Woman” practice and paved the way for the release of 57 affected women. For years, families in Becheve communities used young girls to settle debts, pushing them into marriages without consent and […]

A major cultural shift has taken place in Cross River State as community leaders, with support from Centre LSD, abolished the controversial “Money Woman” practice and paved the way for the release of 57 affected women.

For years, families in Becheve communities used young girls to settle debts, pushing them into marriages without consent and cutting short their chances of education and personal growth.

Determined to end the cycle, Centre LSD worked closely with traditional rulers, local authorities, and residents to confront the practice and find a lasting solution.

At a summit in Abuja, the group’s Executive Director, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said the breakthrough followed years of dialogue, trust-building, and community involvement aimed at addressing gender-based violence.

He stressed that the tradition not only violated basic human rights but also kept families trapped in poverty while exposing girls to lifelong hardship.

According to him, sustained engagement since 2020 helped shift perspectives within the community, proving that traditions can change when people collectively demand justice.

The process led to a firm agreement by stakeholders in March 2026, where they adopted ₦100,000 as the uniform amount to be paid for the release of any woman under the practice.

This resolution replaced years of exploitation with a clear and fair approach, giving affected women a chance to regain control of their lives.

The Paramount Ruler of Obanliku, HRH Amos Uyumulam, announced that the community had fully rejected the practice and agreed to return bride price payments to free victims from such unions.

He added that in cases where older women may choose to remain in their marriages, the same amount could serve as financial support to improve their welfare.

Stakeholders described the move as a turning point that reflects the power of unity and local leadership in addressing deep-rooted social issues.

Centre LSD also raised ₦6.2 million to facilitate the release of the first group of survivors, while calling for continued support to help them rebuild their futures.