Gender Advocates in the South South region of Nigeria, under the auspices of Male Feminist Network once again gathered at the weekend in Uyo the State Capital of Akwaibom, to continue pushing for gender equality and to call for prevention of gender based violence.
For the participants that gathered in a Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting on the instance of Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative (VREI), they all agreed that there is need to make some adjustments to encompass a larger number of the women folk in all aspects of the society.
The participants comprising of traditional rulers, respected religious leaders, community leaders, partners, civil society actors, media practitioners, who were mainly men all spoke in one voice that there is need to shift base to accommodate more women in the scheme of things in all aspects of leadership in the country.
In partnership with the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), and with support of the Ford Foundation, the Stakeholders in the one day town hall meeting, called for strengthened male involvement in the promotion of gender equality and the prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The meeting sought to deepen participants’ understanding of feminism, gender justice, and the root causes of GBV, while addressing misconceptions around feminism and reinforcing the importance of positive masculinity.
Participants who were fifty three in number, also explored culturally appropriate strategies for preventing violence and protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls.
A communiqué adopted at the end of the meeting, include a collective commitment to engage men as key advocates and facilitators in ending GBV, promote accountability within traditional, community, and religious institutions, and cascade the knowledge gained to men within their respective communities and networks.
Participants also resolved to promote a clearer and more accurate understanding of feminism as a movement for equality, justice, and human rights for all, recognizing that men’s involvement is essential to achieving these goals.
In addition, they committed to identifying early warning signs of violence, de-escalating potential conflict situations, and ensuring appropriate referrals and support for survivors of GBV.
In a joint call to action, stakeholders urged government institutions, community leaders, civil society organizations, and the general public to collaborate in addressing Gender-Based Violence and advancing gender equality.
They reaffirmed their commitment to building a society where women, men, girls, and boys can live free from violence, discrimination, and fear, noting that collective action and sustained partnership remain critical to achieving lasting change.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of VREI, Ambassador Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, emphasized that the Male Feminist Network is a movement aimed at reshaping mindsets, challenging harmful social norms, and engaging men as allies in the fight against GBV.
He noted that traditional, religious, and community leaders play a critical role in shaping societal values and fostering peaceful, inclusive communities.
According to him, the Town Hall Meeting provided a platform for dialogue, shared learning, and collaboration among stakeholders, while strengthening institutional partnerships for improved GBV response mechanisms at the community level.
