…As Seminar in Kasuwan Magani Engages Men and Boys in Ending Violence Against Women
Kasuwan Magani, Kaduna State – A seminar aimed at engaging men and boys in the fight against violence and discrimination towards women and girls was recently held at the Kasuwan Magani market. Organized by Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI) with support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, the event sought to raise awareness and build the capacities of men and boys as allies in promoting gender equity.
Uche Brown Egbe, the Primary Focal Person for the Together We Can Project, highlighted the significance of the seminar. According to him, ending violence against women and girls requires the active involvement of men and boys.
“Engaging men and boys is crucial in the fight against discrimination, intersectional violence, and sexual and gender-based abuse. This seminar was designed to build their capacities and raise awareness on these issues,” Egbe stated.
The training included discussions on gender roles and their impact on the potential of women and girls. Juliana Habakkuk Joseph,TWC Programme Manager/EVAW Experts,
explained that part of the seminar’s focus was to help participants distinguish between gender roles and biological roles, showing how rigid social expectations can hold women and girls back.
“We wanted participants to understand how societal norms can limit the opportunities available to women and girls and how this affects their communities,” Joseph said.
One of the participants, Auwal Mohammed, expressed his appreciation for the training. He said the knowledge gained has equipped him with the tools to relate better with women and girls and committed to sharing the lessons learned with others.
“I’m grateful for the seminar. It’s given me a new perspective on how I can contribute to ending violence and supporting women and girls. I will share this knowledge with my family, friends, and colleagues whenever I can,” Mohammed said.
The lead facilitator, Barr. Rebecca Sako-John, EVAW Experts and Executive Director of Legal Awareness for Nigeria Women, emphasized the importance of changing how men and boys are socialized, stating that they play a crucial role in perpetuating or dismantling harmful social norms.
“Building the capacities of men and boys is essential because they are often the
practitioners of some negative social norms against women and girls. Socialization cannot be underestimated in this process,” Sako-John noted.
The seminar concluded with a call to action for all participants to take an active role in advocating for gender equity and ending violence in their communities.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address the root causes of gender-based violence and foster a society where women and girls can reach their full potential.
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