As part of events marking the 2025 Father’s Day, the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) has held a conference to advocate for equal rights for male child and the female child.
The event, tagged “Fathers as feminists: Redefining fatherhood for equality and justice”, which held in Abuja at the weekend, brought together traditional rulers, clerics, academia and development experts.
Speaking at the event, the Idoma paramount ruler, Och’Idoma, His Royal Highness, John Elaigwu Odogbo, canvassed gender equality and inclusivity for peace to reign in the country.
The traditional ruler urged parents to treat both male and female children as equals to ensure sustainable peace and development.
Represented by Chief John Ochai, the Och’Idoma said as a monarch of the Idoma ethnic nationality, he ensured that his subjects, irrespective of their gender, are not only treated with empathy, but are inculcated with the virtues of discipline, hard work, acquisition of education and skills in various field of human endeavours.
According to him, the issue of violence against either of the sexes can be because of their disadvantage position, which deliberate efforts must be put in place to address it.
He disclosed that age old discriminatory practices against women on matters relating to inheritance and burial rites are no longer tolerated in Idoma land, adding that deceased women married for several years with children can now be buried in their husband’s ancestral lands as against the old practice whereby her remains had to be taken to her father’s domain for internment.
Also, speaking with journalists, a development expert and founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said Nigerian society must raise the boy child to see masculinity in a new way, to see that being compassionate and crying were not bad.
Dr. Igbuzor lamented that many responsible girls out there can not find a well-trained and responsible man to marry.
“Even the programme we are doing today, we are honouring men who have raised their children on an equal basis. So, for us, gender equality is not saying that men and women are the same. Our conception of feminism or gender equality is equal rights and opportunities for men and women, boys and girls.
“And one of the things we want to do is to demystify feminism in two ways. One, to show that feminism is an idea, is a consciousness, and a man can be a feminist, a woman can be a feminist. Secondly, let Nigerians know that feminism is not a bad thing. That anybody, any father that promotes equality of rights and access to opportunities of the boy child and the girl child, in our conception, is a feminist.
“Mothers are celebrated throughout the year, which is good, and there are many projects and programmes, even in culture, in socialisation, teaching girls how to behave.
“In fact, in some cultures, if a woman is going to marry, they prepare her for marriage. And the preparation, to be sure, involves everything, even how to take care of the husband. But nobody prepares the man. And many men are engaging in very risky behaviour that is dangerous to society. So, our conception is that, look, both men and women make society work.
“So, as women perform their roles in society, men must also perform their roles. And we are seeing it. In fact, today, what we are seeing is that there are many responsible girls who want to marry but they cannot see men, because many of them are useless. So, we must raise the boy child to see masculinity in a new way. To see that being compassionate, crying, is not bad.”
An international development expert, Dr. Hussaini Abdu, decried the existence of gender-based violence, acknowledging the role women and men play for the socio-economic development of the country.
Also speaking, another panelist and a senior lecturer at the Baze University, Abuja, Dr Iroro Izu, called on men to be affectionate, considerate and caring to women in their midst.
In his welcome address, Executive Director, Centre LSD, Monday Osasah, who said gender equality is achievable if people change their orientation, stressed the need to empower citizens to transform society, adding that the event was aimed at celebrating the progress the country has made in promoting gender justice and to acknowledge the contributions of male allies who have shown commitment to feminist values.
“At Centre LSD, we believe that men have a crucial role in challenging harmful masculinities and promoting gender equality, and we are committed to equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to become effective allies.”
He revealed that the implementation of the project – “Male Feminists Network (MFN) project” will involve building the capacity of male leaders in gender advocacy, feminist principles and GBV prevention; as well as strengthening male feminist Network; engaging Traditional and Religious Leaders; increasing public awareness on gender equality and GBV prevention; mentoring male advocates and collaborating with Women Rights Organisations and female feminists.
He disclosed that the project aims to train over 1,000 male leaders and influencers within the next two years to become active allies within their communities and sectors.
In her opening remarks on why fathers matter in the gender equality conversation, regional director Ford Foundation, Dr. Chichi Aniagolu, called for a change in the societal norms, adding that men will benefit more if equality and opportunities for both sexes are encouraged.
She also called for a political will on the side of the governant at all levels to implement gender-based laws.
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