Participants in a group photograph at the two-day training on Male Feminism and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) with funding from Ford Foundation
…In a landmark move, chiefs adopt a Charter of Commitment to champion women’s inclusion and transform harmful cultural practices.
SANKWALA, OBANLIKU LGA –In an unprecedented step that could redefine traditional leadership in Nigeria, the traditional council chiefs of Obanliku Local Government Area have formally established a Male Feminists Network and pledged to become frontline champions for gender equality within their communities NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
The decision was cemented with the signing of a historic “Charter of Commitment” at the end of a two-day training on Male Feminism and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) with funding from Ford Foundation.
The charter, unanimously adopted by the chiefs on Thursday, binds them to a five-point action plan. This includes a public affirmation of the equal dignity and rights of men and women, a commitment to use their authority to prevent GBV, and a pledge to “champion inclusive leadership” by supporting women’s participation in community decision-making and governance.
Perhaps the most transformative commitments involve a direct assault on deeply entrenched cultural norms. The traditional rulers vowed to “lead by example in ending harmful practices such as… discriminatory inheritance systems” and to “challenge cultural and religious interpretations that reinforce gender discrimination.”
“The training concluded with expressions of gratitude to the facilitators… Participants reaffirmed their collective resolve to be ambassadors of gender justice and agents of social transformation within Obanliku,” stated the official communiqué issued at the end of the event.
The newly formed Obanliku Male Feminists Network (OMFN) is envisioned as a coalition of progressive male leaders who will leverage their influence to promote fairness and condemn violence. The communiqué was signed by the Chairman of the Obanliku Traditional Council, HRH Chief Amb. Dr. Uchua Amos Uyumulam Item, the network’s coordinator, HRH Chief Otto Ololo David Adamu amongst others.
Facilitators from Centre LSD, including Dr. Vincent Dania and Dr. Elijah Terdoo Ikpanor, guided the chiefs through sessions on masculinities, power, and the practicalities of becoming effective male allies.
Feelers suggest this initiative signals a profound shift in the role of traditional institutions in Cross River state, positioning them not as bastions of patriarchy, but as architects of a more inclusive and equitable social order.