The petition bearing the signitures of 1,286 girls was submitted to the "Aba Geda" of their community in a ceremony held at the Abu Sera School on Sunday. Aba Geda is the traditional leader appointed through the Geda System, an age-old tradition of the Oromo society through which social, economic, ritual and political activities are carried out.

With their petition, the girls have called on the persons appointed as Aba Geda in their communities to make use of their influential position to help put an end to traditional practices harming girls.

"We call upon the traditional leaders to take a stand with us," the girls said and called for a separate Desk at the Woreda level which will be following up practices affecting women and children.

Aba Geda Legesse Negewo of Tulema, after receiving the petition, said the Oromo culture does not regard abduction, early marriage, female genital cutting and other harmful traditions virtues. "Our society ought to abandon such practices by coming to the awareness that they are rather contradictory to Oromo values."

The Geda system, which is based on age-grade, allows girls to marry only when they come of age.

Commending the girls for their initiative towards putting an end to harmful traditional practices, He called on other sections of the society to follow suit.

In a bid to prevent forced and early marriage, a center is under construction at the Adanebe Kebele at which legitimacy will be given to traditional marriages only when the bride is of the proper age, he indicated.

Woreda administration's representative Chachisa Megersa on the occasion pledged all the necessary efforts towards putting in place a separate Desk that will be following up women's and children's affairs.

ICEDA (Integrated Community Educational and Development Association) on the occasion presented activists of gender issues with awards. Awardees include mothers, girls and school clubs.

ICEDA Director Teshome Signe said the awardees have been recognized for their successes to have brought about not only awareness, but also attitudinal changes.

E: 2:39 p.m.

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