EKITI FORMER COMMISSIONER TRAINS BOYS TO FIGHT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Executive Director of Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Mrs. Bunmi Dipo-Salami, has pledged to promote positive masculinity and cultivate a generation of empathetic, respectful men dedicated to advancing gender equality.
Dipo-Salami, a former Ekiti State Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, made the remarks on Thursday in Ado Ekiti during a one-day sensitisation workshop titled, “Redefining Masculinity: Boys as Champions of Change to End GBV in Nigeria.”
She explained that the programme, supported by the African Women’s Development Fund, aims to empower young men as allies in combating gender-based violence and to challenge entrenched stereotypes about masculinity.
“Our goal is to build a future where boys and men not only understand the harms of GBV but are also equipped to confront and change the norms that sustain it,” Dipo-Salami said.
She added, “By engaging teenage boys and promoting positive masculinity, we hope to nurture men who are empathetic, respectful, and committed to gender equality. Our vision is a Nigeria where every woman’s voice is heard, every girl’s potential is realised, and the rights of all citizens are protected.”
The programme, attended by 100 male students and 20 male teachers from 10 secondary schools in Ekiti, is planned to be replicated across all 36 states of Nigeria.
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“The initiative is expected to significantly reduce GBV incidents, improve reporting and response, influence attitudes and behaviours toward women and girls, and strengthen community engagement and activism against GBV,” Dipo-Salami stated.
Resource person Mr. Ifeoluwa Idowu highlighted that the workshop forms part of BAOBAB’s broader advocacy for women’s rights and community empowerment.
Representing the Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Bimpe Aderiye, the ministry’s Director of Evaluation and Standard, Mr. Samuel Abodunde, commended BAOBAB’s efforts, noting that the seminar would help minimise violence in schools.
Other officials, including Mr. Dele Owolabi, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the State Universal Basic Education Board, and Dr. Adeyinka Adedayo, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Education Trust Fund, encouraged students to actively engage with and apply the lessons learned.
Participating schools included Harding Model School, Anglican High School, Eyemote Comprehensive High School, Deji Fasuan Model College, Corpus Christi College, and Ifaki Grammar School.
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