Nigeria's Male Feminists Network Trains 3,200 Men as Allies Against Gender-Based Violence
In a significant move to address gender inequality and violence, the Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development has successfully trained and certified over 3,200 Nigerian men as feminist allies under the Male Feminists Network project. This initiative represents a proactive approach to curbing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality throughout Nigeria.
Empowering Men to Dismantle Patriarchal Systems
The Male Feminists Network project was specifically created to fill a crucial gap in gender justice advocacy by mobilizing men to take responsibility for dismantling patriarchal structures. According to Dr. Otive Igbuzor, the Project Director of MFN and founding Executive Director of the Centre, the initiative does not seek to replace women's movements but rather exists to support them in their vital work.
Dr. Igbuzor emphasized that patriarchy is produced, enforced, and defended within male-dominated systems, making it impossible to dismantle without men changing their beliefs, behaviors, and use of power. The project aims to transform men from silent beneficiaries of unequal systems into active participants in creating a more equitable society.
National Reach and Training Structure
The Male Feminists Network operates as a two-year national project spanning 2025 to 2027, implemented by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development with funding support from the Ford Foundation. The initiative is executed through six zonal partners covering Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, ensuring comprehensive national coverage.
Since its introduction, the platform has attracted 8,552 participants, with 3,150 Nigerians successfully completing the course and earning certification. The project has also trained 52 Master Trainers nationwide who have conducted step-down trainings reaching over 500 additional participants in various settings including communities, schools, faith institutions, and civil society spaces.
From Learning to Action
The trained men are not merely passive learners but active agents of change in their communities. They are leading conversations about gender equality, challenging harmful gender norms, and supporting women's rights initiatives. This practical application of their training represents a crucial component of the project's success.
The initiative launched the world's first online course for Male Feminism and GBV prevention, providing accessible education on these critical issues. Looking forward, the MFN plans to train 1,000 male leaders and build a network of 10,000 certified male feminists who will champion equality across Nigeria.
Addressing a Persistent National Challenge
This initiative comes at a critical time when domestic violence remains a significant public health problem affecting thousands of Nigerians, often resulting in physical and emotional injuries and even deaths. The prevalence of gender-based violence has shown an increasing trend over recent decades, making interventions like the Male Feminists Network particularly timely and necessary.
Women leaders have welcomed this development as a transformative step toward building a more inclusive society. Dr. Margaret Fagboyo and other advocates have praised the initiative for its potential to create meaningful change in gender relations and violence prevention.
The project represents a growing recognition that addressing gender-based violence requires the active participation of all members of society, including men who are willing to challenge traditional patriarchal structures and support women's rights movements.
