By Franca Ofili
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Child and Youth Protection Foundation, has organised a one-day sensitisation workshop for schoolboys.
The workshop, held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), focused on addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and promoting positive values among young males.
The workshop, themed “Redefining Masculinity: Boys as Champions of Change to End Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria,” focused on reshaping attitudes and promoting positive masculinity among adolescent boys.
Speaking at the advocacy event in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to promoting policies and programmes that foster youth inclusion and social cohesion.
Olawande, who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Essien, Director of the Youth Health, Mental and Psychosocial Affairs Department, said ending GBV required collective societal action involving families, schools, religious leaders and government institutions.
“The ministry is committed to promoting policies, programmes and partnerships that foster youth inclusion, civic responsibility and social cohesion.
“Through youth platforms and community initiatives, we instil values of mutual respect, gender equity and non-violence,” he said.
He stressed that families must raise boys to respect girls as equals, while schools should teach emotional intelligence alongside academics.
Religious and traditional leaders, he added, must challenge harmful norms, and the media should amplify positive role models.
“The government must provide the enabling environment through policy, enforcement and support services,” Olawande said, noting that guiding young people towards positive models of masculinity was crucial to shaping Nigeria’s future.
He added that empowering boys as champions of change would unlock transformative forces capable of reshaping society for generations.
The Executive Director of BAOBAB, Ms. Yeye Dipo-Salami, emphasised the importance of including men and boys in women’s development efforts.
She cited examples of boys intervening in domestic abuse situations and said engaging boys as allies against GBV strengthens communities and supports national development.
Dipo-Salami explained that the workshop engaged 100 male students aged 13 to 19 from selected secondary schools in the FCT, alongside male teachers, to promote empathy, respect, accountability and non-violence.
One of the participants, Mr Oluwashino Gboluwaga, said boys should redefine masculinity positively, support women, and work together rather than oppress or bully the opposite gender.
He added that the workshop helped them better understood gender issues so they could apply those lessons when returning to their communities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ten secondary schools from the FCT participated.
NAN
