In its efforts to combat rising insecurity in Nigeria, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), in partnership with Ford Foundation, have organized a workshop for students on Gender- Based Violence, GBV, and promoting positive masculinity.
The workshop titled “Men and Boys’ Engagement Programs, Formation of School-Based Peer Education GBV Prevention Programs, Campaigns, and Support Groups, to Promote Positive Masculinity and Healthy Relationships.
The programme, held at San Diego Hotel in Abakaliki, brought together students from secondary schools and men from various fields.
Resource person, Barrister Cyprian Ifeanyichukwu Udu presented a paper on “Men/Boys and Societal Gender Norms – Myths, Facts, Media-Society Faith Connection.”
He highlighted the challenges of shifting traditional masculinity norms, which often confer power and status to boys and young men, and the associated risks, including poor mental health, male suicide, substance misuse, and violence.
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The key points included: Gender norms and their impact on men and boys, Myths vs. facts about masculinity,Media portrayal of masculinity, Societal institutions and faith connections.
Udu, expressed concern over media representation patterns, emphasizing the role of societal institutions in shaping gender norms. Another resource person, Barrister Fortune Akidi, defined masculinity and stressed the importance of promoting positive masculinity, healthy relationships, allyship, and respectful behavior consciousness.
In a post-workshop interview, students Nwigwe Ifeanyi from (Nnodo Boys Secondary School), Mathew Uchenna and Okpani Victor (Redeemers Int’l Secondary School), appreciated the organizers and pledged to speak out against Gender-Based Violence, including harassment, bullying, and assault, and share their experience with peers.
The workshop featured interactive sessions, including a pre-test questionnaire, inauguration of Boys’ Clubs, and a question-and-answer segment.
