Chinedum Treasure
Women Aid Collective (WACOL) has engaged schoolboys in Anambra State on positive masculinity and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, urging them to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and promote respect for women and girls.
The engagement, held at Comprehensive Science and Technical College, Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area, was organised under the BUILD GRANT Project, funded by the Ford Foundation for West Africa.
It brought together 40 boys, aged 13 to 17, and 10 teachers from three secondary schools: Comprehensive Science and Technical College, Nawfia; Community Secondary School, Umuokpu; and Union Secondary School, Amawbia.
Speaking at the event, WACOL’s Legal and Programmes Officer, Anambra Office, Ifeyinwa Lilian Ofodile-Nwafor, said the initiative was designed to promote positive masculinity and equip boys to become advocates against GBV.
The participants were educated on different forms of abuse, respect, consent, healthy relationships and safe ways to intervene or report violence and harassment.
The interactive sessions featured group discussions, role-play and scenario analysis, while pre- and post-assessments were conducted to evaluate changes in their knowledge and attitudes towards gender roles and GBV.
The programme also encouraged the establishment of school integrity and anti-GBV clubs, with teachers serving as contact persons to sustain the initiative.
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