Group Urges Nigerian Men to Join Fight Against Gender Inequality, Violence

The Male Feminist Network has urged Nigerian men to take an active role in promoting gender equality and ending gender-based violence, emphasizing that true masculinity lies in partnership and protection rather than dominance or abuse.

The group’s Coordinator for Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Cross River states, Peace Edem, made the call during a press conference in Uyo on Saturday.

The event was organized by Youth for Change Initiative, with support from Value Rebirth Empowerment Initiative and the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD).

Edem said the fight against gender inequality would remain incomplete without men’s involvement.

“Nigeria ranks 130th out of 146 countries on the Global Gender Gap Report (2023). Our maternal mortality rate stands at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world,” he noted.

“It is against this sobering backdrop that we conceptualised the Male Feminist Network (MFN) not as another project, but as a movement of conviction and transformation.”

According to him, the Network aims to redefine masculinity, promote gender justice, and inspire men to become allies in the campaign for equality and non-violence.

“For far too long, gender equality has been seen as a women’s issue. But gender justice is not a women’s fight, it is a human one,” Edem said.

“Every man has a woman he loves — a mother, a sister, a wife, a daughter, or a colleague. Yet, in our society, these same women face daily struggles of inequality, exclusion, and abuse. Through the Male Feminist Network, we are saying ‘enough is enough.’ We are calling on men to be protectors, not perpetrators; partners, not oppressors; voices of reason, not silence.”

Edem explained that the Network seeks to raise a new generation of men who will challenge harmful social norms and understand that empowering women strengthens families and communities rather than diminishing male authority.

He clarified that the group is not opposed to cultural traditions but to practices that harm or devalue women.

Among the harmful practices the Network plans to campaign against are early child marriage, female genital mutilation, body shaming, and degrading widowhood rites.

Also speaking at the event, Anietie Bassey urged the media to use their platforms to promote positive narratives that advance gender equality.

“I am of the firm belief that it is a greater duty of the media to create awareness on gender equality and change the mindset of men positively toward embracing healthy coexistence,” Bassey said.