RMD named Male Feminist ambassador, seeks end gender-based violence

Veteran Nollywood actor and producer, Richard Mofe-Damijo, RMD, has been appointed as an ambassador of the Male Feminists Network (MFN) to champion the campaign against Gender-Based Violence, GBV, in Nigeria.

The actor was decorated on Friday in Abuja by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) alongside other ambassadors who will spearhead nationwide advocacy against violence targeting women and girls.

Speaking after his inauguration, the 65-year-old actor called for greater inclusion of women in governance, arguing that women have consistently demonstrated competence and efficiency in public service.

Drawing from his experience in the film industry, RMD said he deliberately worked with a predominantly female crew on one of his productions because of their commitment to delivering results.

“Personally, when I did a film two years ago, I had about 80 per cent women in the crew. I always tell people that if you want anything done in government, put a woman in charge and you can sleep with both your eyes closed,” he said.

The actor urged men to abandon harmful attitudes towards women, stressing that respect and dignity should define relationships rather than violence or domination.

“Just give respect to women and treat them like human beings. Treat them the way you would treat your daughter or your wife—with respect and dignity. Don’t objectify them and don’t perpetrate violence. Correcting someone does not mean hitting or beating them. It is easier to talk to people than to use your fists,” he said.

RMD said ending gender-based violence requires active participation by men, insisting that the struggle for women’s rights should not be left to women alone.

“There are institutionalised and systemic ways that women’s rights are trampled upon in Nigeria, and it is not something only women can fight. Men also have to lend their voices to organisations working for women’s rights and against gender-based violence,” he said.

He dismissed attempts to compare isolated cases of violence against men with the widespread abuse experienced by women, saying the scale and impact of the two situations are not the same.

According to him, changing societal attitudes begins at home through the example fathers and husbands set in the way they treat women.

Reflecting on changing social values, RMD noted that many practices once considered normal were rooted in ignorance rather than deliberate cruelty, adding that sustained public education has helped reshape attitudes towards women.

He commended the Male Feminists Network initiative for taking advocacy beyond conference halls by engaging grassroots groups such as commercial motorcyclists, taxi drivers, mechanics, vulcanisers, students and community leaders.

“If you can get the Okada rider, the taxi driver, the mechanic, the vulcaniser and students on campuses, then you have started the real work. If this is sustained, we will see a reduction in gender-based violence,” he added.

Also speaking, the Founding Executive Director of Centre LSD, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said the organisation’s interventions have demonstrated that traditional and religious leaders can play a significant role in preventing gender-based violence.

He cited successful engagements in communities in Cross River and Benue states where discriminatory inheritance practices and harmful widowhood rites were challenged through sustained dialogue with traditional institutions.

“Our work has shown that many traditional rulers can become promoters of the prevention of gender-based violence. We engage them to change the social norms that perpetuate violence against women, and the response has been encouraging,” Igbuzor said.

He stressed that culture is not static, noting that the declining acceptance of female genital mutilation illustrates how harmful practices can be abandoned through education and advocacy.

Presenting an overview of the project, the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning at Centre LSD, Dr. Victoria Oseyande Udoh, said the initiative has grown into a nationwide movement with active structures across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones through six implementing partners.

According to her, the project, titled Core Support for Building a Network of Male Feminists to Prevent Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, began in April 2025 with a target of training at least 1,000 male leaders and grassroots influencers.

She, however, disclosed that within one year, the programme directly reached 11,721 participants across the country, far exceeding its initial target.

Udoh said the project trained 52 master trainers across the six geopolitical zones, who in turn equipped more than 500 community leaders, traditional rulers and professionals to champion gender equality and GBV prevention.

She added that implementing partners also trained 3,169 men and boys from traditional and religious institutions, transport unions, schools, youth organisations, farmers’ associations, traders’ groups, civil society organisations and community leadership structures.

According to her, the project’s online certification platform attracted 8,552 participants, with 3,200 Nigerians successfully completing certification as male allies committed to advancing gender justice.

Udoh said the combination of grassroots engagement and digital learning enabled the initiative to establish one of Nigeria’s largest organised networks of male advocates against gender-based violence.

She added that beyond the impressive participation figures, the project strengthened Male Feminists Networks in several states, deepened collaboration with women’s rights organisations and government institutions, and increased public awareness of positive masculinity through sustained media engagement.

The event was attended by Male Feminists Network zonal coordinators from across the country and other prominent ambassadors.