Her Royal Highness Best Kemigisa has called upon Heads of States and Governments to join hands and support Traditional and Cultural Leaders of Africa to eradicate harmful cultural practices in our communities. She emphasised the Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) that has left girls and women in disadvantaged physical positions and has caused permanent health issues to some.
Her Royal Highness was speaking at the Launch of COTLA (Council of Traditional Leaders of Africa) in Addis Ababa Ethiopia on the sidelines of the African Union Heads of State Summit. The Launch that took place on 10th February 2019 was presided over by His Excellency Edgar Lungu of Zambia
The Council of Traditional Leaders of Africa (COTLA) is a Pan African platform of male and female Traditional and Cultural Leaders primarily set up to galvanize the voices and actions of these Leaders across Africa to transform culture and eliminate negative cultural practices that harm girls and women in Africa.
The platform establishment was based on the need to create an institutionalized dialogue between Traditional and Cultural Leaders and the AU, regional bodies and governments on preservation of, and harnessing the positive aspects and transformation of culture to end child marriage and FGM/C, informed by deep shared values of human rights and gender equality.
The platform was set up to provide space for addressing other emerging issues relevant to their jurisdictions in fast changing world.