Mariam Sanni
The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu has called on Africans to embrace positive masculinity in reshaping into something healthier and more inclusive.
The ActionAid Nigeria seeks stakeholders partnership across West Africa to redefine what it means to be a man, while choosing empathy, care, equity, and non-violence over harmful gender norms.
He made this known during his welcome remark during an event to celebrate this year Father’s Day, themed ,: “Experiences and Lessons in Applying Positive Masculinity in Addressing GBV in the African Sub-Region” held in Abuja.
He highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of these harmful norms, beginning with early childhood socialization and extending to broader societal expectations.
He called for education, awareness campaigns, and policy reforms that promote empathy, respect, and emotional intelligence in boys and men.
“ We are here today because in Africa, we want an African rooted in peace, equity and inclusive development cannot be built on the shaky foundation of harmful masculinities in Many of our communities, cultural and social norms continue to encourage men and boys to display traits such as dominance.
“Scholars have links harmful masculinity and issues like gender based violence, school dropouts, depression and substance abuse. But even in the face of these challenges, we know that challenge, we know that change is possible, and in fact, already happening. Arguably, when men are supported to embrace positive masculinity, it’s not masculinity is not a wrong it’s not a bad thing.
“It’s not negative actually, how you deploy positive or negative. So when men are supported to embrace positive masculinity, we see a decline in domestic violence. We see greater participation in parenting and household responsibility. We see men who are emotionally healthier and families that are stronger, and
According to him, the goal is to build an Africa rooted in peace, equity, and inclusive development, free from harmful masculinities.
The country Director noted that despite challenges, emphases that change is possible, and positive masculinity can lead to healthier families and stronger communities.
In his keynote address, the executive director, Save the Children International, Hussaini Abdul emphasized that, masculinity is not something fixed or biologically determined, noting it is described as a social script, learned through culture, reinforced by society, and open to change.
He said that rigid masculine roles, often centered on dominance and emotional suppression, don’t just harm women and girls. They also negatively affect men themselves, limiting their emotional expression and fueling cycles of violence.
The event which was supported by the Ford Foundation, this high-level convening brought together men across West Africa, traditional rulers, faith leaders, policymakers, media personalities, youth voices, and community changemakers to build a collective agenda for ending gender-based violence.
