By Regina Igwebuike
Men have been called upon to move beyond passive support and become active champions of gender equality to achieve meaningful social change.
This appeal was made by Ugochi Ehiahuruike, Executive Director of the Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), at a He-for-She Leadership Forum in Anambra State, organized for men under its project IMPACT – Inclusive Mobilization for Participation, Advocacy, and Civic Transformation.
Ehiahuruike in her presentation titled “Understanding Men’s Engagement in Advancing Gender Equality,” emphasized that men remain key actors in the pursuit of gender equity and must become deliberate allies in addressing discrimination and harmful practices affecting women and girls. She outlined five progressive stages of men’s involvement in gender advocacy, from awareness to transformational engagement.
The forum also featured a presentation on inclusive politics by Ugochukwu Ernest Okeke, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Anambra State.
Okeke stressed that persons with disabilities have the same constitutional rights as other citizens to participate fully in Nigeria’s political processes.
Participants at the forum agreed that collective action is necessary to advance gender equity and called for stronger partnerships among government institutions, civil society organizations, and community leaders.
Regina is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
