WARRI/Nigeria: The Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative (VREI) has announced the commencement of the second year of the Male Feminist Network (MFN) South-South Nigeria Project, with a renewed commitment to mobilising men and boys as advocates for gender equality, positive masculinity and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) across the region.
The initiative will officially begin with a Step-Down Training scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the Postgraduate (PG) Hall, West Campus of the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State. The programme is expected to bring together students, academics, youth leaders, civil society actors and other stakeholders to strengthen male participation in promoting safer, more inclusive and equitable communities.
The Male Feminist Network is a national programme of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), supported by the Ford Foundation. In the South-South geopolitical zone, the project is being implemented by the Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative (VREI) across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states.
Building on the successes recorded during the project’s first year, the second phase is designed to deepen community engagement by expanding the network of male allies and equipping more men and boys with the knowledge, skills and values required to challenge harmful gender norms, promote positive masculinity and actively prevent gender-based violence.
Participants at the inaugural training will explore critical issues surrounding feminism, gender equity, respectful relationships, shared decision-making and the role of men in dismantling harmful stereotypes that fuel discrimination and violence against women and girls. The programme is also expected to encourage participants to become advocates for social change within their respective institutions and communities.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Otuoke, Professor Promise Mebine, will serve as the Chief Host, while the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Joseph Oke Omoro, will host the event. The Executive Director of the Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative and South-South Coordinator of the Male Feminist Network, Ambassador Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, will deliver the keynote address, highlighting the vision of the initiative and the critical role of men as partners in advancing gender justice.
Speaking ahead of the training, Egedegbe stressed that the fight against gender-based violence cannot succeed without the active involvement of men.
“Ending Gender-Based Violence requires the active participation of men. Through the Male Feminist Network, we are building a movement of responsible male allies who will challenge harmful social norms, promote positive masculinity and work alongside women to create safer homes and stronger communities. The Federal University Otuoke training marks the beginning of another important phase in this journey across the South-South region,” he said.
He explained that the step-down training forms part of VREI’s broader strategy to institutionalise the Male Feminist Network through sustained engagements in tertiary institutions, communities, faith-based organisations and other male-dominated spaces across the South-South.
According to him, the initiative aims to broaden awareness, strengthen community ownership of gender equality issues and inspire long-term behavioural change that will contribute to reducing gender-based violence and promoting respect, dignity and equal opportunities for all.
VREI called on members of the media, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, students and the general public to support the initiative by amplifying its message and collaborating in efforts to build a society founded on justice, equality, inclusion and mutual respect.
The organisation expressed optimism that the second phase of the Male Feminist Network project would consolidate the gains recorded in its inaugural year while creating a stronger coalition of men committed to advancing gender justice and fostering peaceful, violence-free communities throughout the South-South region.
