Baobab for Women’s Human Rights has launched a nationwide human rights initiative aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV) by engaging teenage boys as champions of positive masculinity.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Bunmi Dipo-Salami, said at the launch in Ado-Ekiti that the programme seeks to challenge harmful social norms and empower young men to promote respect, equality and non-violence.
The one-day workshop, themed “Redefining Masculinity: Boys as Champions of Change to End Gender-Based Violence,” is supported by the African Women’s Development Fund.
Dipo-Salami said the initiative would be implemented across the 36 states of the federation, targeting 100 boys and 20 male teachers from 10 secondary schools in each state.
She explained that the programme would equip participants with knowledge and practical skills to challenge behaviours and beliefs that perpetuate violence against women and girls.
“Our goal is to create a future where boys and men understand the harm caused by GBV and are empowered to change the norms that sustain it,” she said.
According to her, expected outcomes include reduced incidence of GBV, improved reporting and response mechanisms, positive behavioural change toward women and girls, and increased community engagement.
A resource person at the workshop, Ifeoluwa Idowu, said the organisation remained committed to advocating women’s rights and strengthening community capacity to demand accountability.
In goodwill messages, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, Bimpe Aderiye, represented by Abodinde Samuel, alongside officials of the State Universal Basic Education Board and the Education Trust Fund, described the initiative as timely and beneficial to societal development.
Participants drawn from secondary schools across Ekiti State said the programme broadened their understanding of human rights and gender equality.
Dipo-Salami reiterated that the organisation envisions a society where the rights and dignity of all citizens are fully realised across Nigeria.(NAN)
