Involve Men In Fight Against Gender-based Violence, Centre Tells Govts

African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) has called on governments at all levels to include men in Gender-based Violence (GBV) prevention frameworks.

The founding executive director of the centre, Dr Otive Igbuzor, made the call at the unveiling of an online course on Male Feminism for Prevention of GBV in Nigeria and Africa.

The project tagged ‘Male Feminists Network’ (MFN) is aimed at building a country where men and women live free from violence, discrimination, and inequality.

Igbuzor said the Male Feminist Network (MFN) was conceived as a bold and transformative initiative to challenge patriarchal norms and mobilise men as allies in the fight against gender-based violence.

The mission, according to him, is to train, mentor, and mobilise male leaders and grassroots influencers who will champion feminist values, challenge harmful stereotypes, and advance gender justice across Nigeria.

“It is about creating a Nigeria where everyone—man, woman, or child—can live free from fear and discrimination. Let history record that in our generation, Nigerian men chose the path of equality—and in doing so, we transformed our nation for good.”

Igbuzor said the strategy is to train at least 1,000 male leaders across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, build a network of 10,000 certified male feminists in the coming years.

“Men and women across Nigeria—and indeed Africa—can now register, learn, interact, and get certified as male feminists from anywhere.

“Gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in Nigeria. Reports indicate that over 35% of Nigerian women have experienced physical violence, and many more face emotional, sexual, or economic abuse.

“We cannot end GBV by focusing on women alone. Men must be part of the solution—not as spectators, but as active champions of justice, equality, and nonviolence.

“The MFN Digital Course embodies this philosophy. It is designed to transform mindsets, equip men with feminist knowledge, and mobilize them for sustained advocacy and community action.

“As we unveil this digital platform today, let me emphasize that technology is not the end; it is the means. The real transformation will come from how we use this platform to change hearts, homes, and institutions.

“To government -integrate male engagement into national and state-level GBV prevention frameworks.To donors and development partners – continue to invest in digital and social innovation for gender equality.

“To the private sector- mainstream male allyship into workplace culture and corporate responsibility. To Nigerian men, take this course, get certified, and join the movement. Be the change agent your community needs.

“We are demonstrating that men can be partners—not perpetrators—in building a just society. We are proving that technology can be a tool for liberation, not oppression; and that education can dismantle the very structures that perpetuate violence and discrimination,” he added.

Earlier in her opening speech, director of Development at the Centre LSD, Dr Margaret Fagboyo, said over the years, Gender Based Violence has been driven by women and women’s organization only, adding that sustainable change can only happen when men are not passive observers but active allies.

She said: “Today’s event marks a remarkable step in our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable society where man and women stand side by side in the pursuit of gender pursuit and prevention of violence in all its forms.”