Stakeholders have stressed the need for equity, inclusion and male support in the campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) as the Male Feminist Network (MFN) was launched in Ebonyi.
The initiative, inaugurated by the Neighbourhood Environment Watch (NEW) Foundation, on Monday in Abakaliki sought to mobilise men as allies in promoting gender justice, challenging harmful cultural norms and supporting women’s rights.
Dr Okezie Kelechukwu, Executive Director of NEW Foundation, in his address at the inception meeting that the network was designed to foster male allyship across Nigeria.
He said that the project was supported by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), with funding from the Ford Foundation, to strengthen interventions against GBV.
According to him, Ebonyi and the South-East record high prevalence of domestic violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriages and harmful widowhood practices.
Citing the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Kelechukwu noted that 30 per cent of women aged 15–49 in Nigeria had suffered physical violence, while nine per cent had experienced sexual violence.
“Ebonyi is one of the states with the highest GBV cases in the region; reports show that over 50 per cent of women between 15 and 49 years have experienced one form of violence or the other, this is unacceptable,” Okezie said.
He stressed that men must not be passive bystanders but active partners in ending GBV.
“The MFN is not about men behaving like women, nor is it about weakening men.
“Male feminists are simply men who believe in equality of rights and opportunities and who are committed to ending violence against women and girls,” he explained.
The Executive Director outlined NEW Foundation’s strategy to include training and mobilising at least 1,000 male leaders and grassroots influencers, engaging traditional and religious leaders, and amplifying public awareness through traditional and digital media.
Meanwhile, Dr John Otu, a participant at the meeting, also stressed the importance of equity from the early stages of life.
“From the biological angle through to the intellectual axis, we believe in equity; there cannot be fairness between the genders if both are not exposed to the same environment right from the primary and secondary school levels.
“Once they grow together along the same lines; same opportunities there will be no disparity later in life,” Otu said.
He argued that women should drive the gender equality movement, while men should provide the needed support.
“You cannot shave a man in his absence. Women must take the lead, but men must pledge their support so that women can excel and achieve their aspirations,” he said.
He recalled that political experiences in Nigeria that showed that inclusive participation strengthened democracy.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also endorsed the network, describing it as a progressive response to society’s evolving values.
Mr Christopher Okorie, Ebonyi Director of NHRC, said that as societies evolved, new values emerge to meet changing human needs.
“Women were not sidelined out of wickedness, but roles were divided based on needs; this was not peculiar to Igbo culture but a global reality in early societies, including the West,” Okorie said.
He added that women had always been accorded reverence, citing Catholicism’s recognition of the Blessed Virgin Mary as “Seat of Wisdom” to underline women’s unique place in faith and tradition.
Okorie assured that the NHRC would continue to work with MFN and other partners to promote human rights, equality and recognition of men and women as equal stakeholders in society.
Mrs Faithvin Nwancho a lawyer and right activist urged men to drive the initiative arguing that real change could only take place when me took the forefront in the campaign against gender based violence.
“Gender-based violence weighs heavily on our society, we’ve tried leading but real change requires men at the forefront; today, I call on men to take the lead, collaborate and ensure a safer, just Ebonyi for all,” she said.
Our correspondent reports that Male Feminist Network is expected to strengthen grassroots campaigns against GBV, transform mindsets and mobilise communities to create a society where both men and women thrive equally.
