By Felicia Imohimi

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) on Tuesday stressed the need to support men in embracing positive masculinity to reduce domestic violence and ensure greater participation in parenting and household responsibilities.

The Country Director of ActionAid, Andrew Mamedu, made the call at the ongoing West African Convening Positive Masculinity and Ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) event.

The event held in Abuja, with the theme “Experience and Lessons in Applying Positive Masculinity in Addressing GBV in the Africa sub-region”, is in commemoration of the 2025 World Father’s Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is organised by AAN with the support of the Ford Foundation.

NAN also reports that the World Father’s Day is commemorated every third Sunday in June, and it’s a day set aside for honouring fathers, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in the society.

Mamedu explained that supporting men to embrace positive masculinity would make them emotionally healthier, stronger and more family oriented.

“Embracing positive masculinity is not just about gender justice, it’s about building happier homes, more resilient communities, and ultimately a more prosperous and peaceful Africa.

“This is because when men are free to express their full humanity, when they are not boxed in by destructive norms, the entire society benefits,” he said.

Mamedu added that the United Nations Women among other scholars have linked harmful masculinity to gender-based violence, school dropouts, depression and substance abuse.

According to him, the cultural and social norms in most African communities continue to encourage men and boys to display traits such as dominance, aggression, and emotional suppression.

“Although these traits are seen as a sign of strength, but the truth is that they frequently lead to insecurity, broken relationships, poor health and violence especially against women and girls.

“Africa rooted in peace, equity, and inclusive development cannot be built on the shaky foundation of harmful masculinities”.

Similarly, Dr Hussaini Abdu, Director of Pan-African and New Power Advocacy Office, frowned at the concept of masculinity and the prevailing conception that defined men as people who lack emotions, among others.

Abdu said that such perceptions have being promoting violence and undermining mental health of young people.

“We want to make people understand that masculinity is a constructed identity that though born as a boy, the traits are learnt through socialisation.

“So, it is important to unlearn these traits so as to become more sympathetic, engaging, expressive and less violent.

“There is need for a shift in the upbringing of children as they must be brought up in a manner that promotes mutual respect. They should share similar chores and responsibilities and be held accountable.

“When boys are taught that they are different and stronger than girls and can’t express emotions, and that they have to be aggressive and assertive, we differentiate them from girls.

“That is why we are experiencing a mental health crisis, substance abuse, and other social vices,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Deborah Coker