As part of broader efforts to foster unity, peace, and national development, a non-Governmental Organization the Kozaki Transformation and Development Foundation, based in Gboko, Benue State, has urged Nigerians to expose perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV)
The foundation’s Communication Officer, Mr. Akirghir Caleb, delivered the charge on Tuesday in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting of the Male Feminists Network (MFN) themed “Promoting Male Engagement in Support of Ending Gender-Based Violence in Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting was organized in partnership with the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, with support from the Ford Foundation.
Caleb explained that the Male Feminists Network is a Nigerian-led initiative designed to recruit, train, and mobilize men to actively engage in ending GBV and advancing gender equality.
He said the network seeks to expand male allyship by shifting men from being silent bystanders to active partners in dismantling the patriarchal systems that fuel inequality.
“Let’s go out to voice out and speak against GBV. Let’s change the narrative positively for unity, peace, and societal development,”
The foundation’s Programme Manager, Mr. Akpen Manfred, also appealed to stakeholders to intensify education within their communities against GBV while defending women’s rights. Manfred called for stronger collaboration to eliminate GBV, when he said…
“Let’s all protect and promote women’s rights anywhere we find ourselves. Don’t deny women their rights. Let’s voice and speak out for women,”
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Rev. Fr. Isaiah Ter was represented by Rev. Fr. Jude Maigari of the Justice Development and Peace Foundation, Lafia, who stressed that the MFN was created to engage men as allies in confronting harmful patriarchal norms.
“The stakeholder meeting is an invitation to a shared vision of a society where daughters can walk free of fear, where women’s voices are heard in decision-making, and where men and women stand side by side as partners in building peace and progress,” he said.
The gathering drew participants from across society, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, government officials, academics, and members of the Motorcycle Association.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reported on Monday that the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, also backed a proposal to convene a national roundtable of religious leaders to scale up advocacy for girls’ education and tackle gender-based violence.
The Sultan gave his endorsement during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Development Research and Projects Centre to his palace in Sokoto. The initiative, inspired by the global Religions for Peace interfaith summit where the Sultan serves as Co-President, aims to rally faith leaders around a shared agenda of protecting women and girls.
By NAN
