What if the solution to gender-based violence starts with teaching boys differently? A growing movement across Nigeria is doing just that—reshaping mindsets early to stop abuse before it begins.
Across schools and communities, advocates are shifting strategy—moving beyond just supporting victims to tackling the root cause: harmful ideas about masculinity.
At the centre of this push is Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, which has launched a nationwide programme targeting teenage boys. The goal? Turn them into champions of respect, equality, and non-violence.
Through workshops like “Redefining Masculinity,” boys are encouraged to question toxic norms—things like harassment, bullying, and silence—and replace them with empathy and accountability.
According to Executive Director Bunmi Dipo-Salami, the key is early intervention: reach boys before harmful stereotypes become lifelong behaviour.
The initiative plans to engage students and teachers across all 36 states, equipping them with real-life skills to challenge abuse, support survivors, and promote healthy relationships.
But the effort doesn’t stop at secondary schools.
Groups like Youthcare Development and Empowerment Initiative are targeting even younger children in primary schools—where early exposure to violence can shape future behaviour.
Research shows the urgency: nearly half of Nigerian primary school pupils have experienced some form of school-related gender-based violence.
Experts like Adefunke Ekine warn that abuse in schools affects everything—from mental health to academic performance—and can silence children for life.
To tackle this, new interventions are training both teachers and pupils—teaching rights awareness, safe reporting, and positive discipline.
Meanwhile, agencies like National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons are stepping up support for survivors, offering empowerment programmes and securing convictions to strengthen justice.
Still, challenges remain—stigma, cultural beliefs, and underreporting continue to hold victims back.
But advocates are clear: if schools can raise boys to respect, not dominate, Nigeria can build a generation that rejects violence entirely.
Bottom line: Ending gender-based violence isn’t just about protection—it’s about prevention. And that starts with how boys are raised.
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