The executive director, Fame Foundation, Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, has called on all men to unite themselves in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the society.
Ogunleye-Bello gave the advice yesterday at the Sensitisation Outreach to Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Durumi Area 1, Abuja.
She said the programme titled “Uniting Boys/Men to Invest Against Gender-Based Violence” aimed at engaging and empowering men on combating against GBV through awareness and campaign during the ’16 Days of Activism 2023′.
According to her, the purpose of the programme is to educate men on the consequences, as well as the repercussions and danger of GBV.
“We are here to provide a safe space for open discussion and empower boys and men to become change agents in the society.
“Available data shows that the perpetrators of the act are mostly boys or men. For the past four years, we have been working with girls, teaching them on self-defense and how to end GBV.
” We decided to take the advocacy to the grassroot area when we discover that crime is so rampant in the rural communities by men.
” Here in IDPs camp, we want to let the men know the danger of GBV, the need to safeguard their sisters, daughters as well as their mothers,” executive director said.
According to her, the boys/men should speak out when they abuse, as well as reporting abusive cases to the appropriate authorities that will help them to end the trauma.
Also speaking, Engr. Olabiyi Tunde, Assistant Director, Tertiary Education TrustFund (TETFUND), commended the foundation sensitising men on the danger of GBV.(NAN)
According to him, taking such an information to the grassroot level has a great role to play in ensuring that men not involve themselves in GBV, bearing in mind the consequences that go with it.
“Women who remain asset and value to the society, are supposed not to be abused. Their values are to bring life.
” The society is bond to thrive when women are given their rightful place. Abuse to one woman is abuse to all generation.
” In achieving gender equality and equity, women have to be given their rightful position and such will bring sustainable development,” he said.
Also, a psychologist, Mr Yamusa Emmanuel, said cases of GBV in men were not often, but it does happen and such could result to a deadly outcome.
He added that the society assumed that men had done something wrong that led to their violence.
According to him, men are egocentric and have the toxic masculinity that stops them for speaking when they are abused.
” Men are face with Post – Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), anger issues, anxiety, depression, among others.
” Boys/men must unite to invest against GBV by speaking out, visiting a psychologist or counselor and by promoting equal right of both gender.
” Others were prioritising safety confidentiality, respect and non- discrimination in our response, as well as linking to the appropriate authorities if someone tells you his case or issue,” he said.
Mr Idris Halilu, Coordinator and Spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory IDPs camp, commended the foundation for collaborating with the French Embassy, in uniting the boys and men to invest against GBV.
Halilu said data had proven beyond reasonable doubt that men were mostly the perpetrators of most crime.
” Coming to the IDP to talk to men is a welcome development, we urged the French Embassy to continue its collaboration with the foundation in eradicating GBV,” he said.
Mr Emmanuel Danjuma, a participant, appreciated the foundation for enlightening IDPs on the danger of GBV and the need to be a good ambassador.
” Harming any woman is bad, I urge everyone to be patience , show love in order to live a happy life void of violence and abuse because anger can equally lead to violence,” he said.(NAN)
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