It was a charged yet hopeful atmosphere at the RIK Event Centre in Lagos as no fewer than 25 determined men from Alimosho, Ojo, and Oshodi-Isolo gathered for what turned out to be a transformative two-day experience — a training that challenged long-held beliefs, inspired empathy, and called for men to stand as defenders of women’s rights and dignity.
The event, organized by the Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) through its Ireti Resource Centre, ran from October 22 to 23, 2025, and aimed to build the capacity of selected male advocates who will serve as case managers and mandatory reporters in their communities. The mission was simple but profound — to engage men and boys as allies in the ongoing fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
From the moment the training opened, the tone was clear: this was not going to be another routine seminar. The conversations were frank, the atmosphere participatory, and the lessons deeply personal.
“Men Must Be Part of the Solution”
In her statement made available to men of the press, Ms. Bose Ironsi, Executive Director of WRAHP, emphasized the urgent need for men to play a central role in the campaign against sexual violence.
“Men have a powerful role to play in shifting attitudes and practices that enable sexual violence. By equipping them with knowledge and the right tools, we are investing in long-term prevention and accountability,” she said.
The Heart of the Training
The sessions covered a wide range of critical topics — from understanding the root causes of SGBV to positive masculinity, survivor-centered communication, community advocacy, and the legal frameworks governing sexual offences in Lagos State.
The training wasn’t all talk. Through group work, case studies, and role plays, the men learned to confront gender stereotypes, practice empathy, and design real solutions for the communities they represent.
One of the highlights was the session led by Yakubu Jubril Abisogun, Deputy Director with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, who took participants through the state’s legal provisions on SGBV offences. His presentation made the laws accessible, showing participants not just what the law says, but how they could help ensure justice is served.
Voices from the Ground
For Oluwafemi Olumide Falope, a participant from Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, the experience was nothing short of eye-opening.
“The training is educating because I learnt a lot of new things,” he said with visible enthusiasm. “For the hours I have stayed here, I have learnt things I didn’t know about sexual violence. I’ll advise that a training of this type be sustained and taken to every corner of Lagos, and possibly Nigeria, because it will help curtail sexual violence incidents. I appreciate WRAHP for this program. With what we’ve learnt, we’re ready to work with WRAHP and step down the training to our friends and community members.”
From Igando-Ikotun, Elder Ademola Oshibeluwo, JP, a respected Community Development Committee (CDC) leader and long-time WRAHP Ambassador, described the training as part of an ongoing mission:
“This is not my first time being trained by WRAHP,” he said proudly. “In my LCDA, we’re working hard to eradicate this menace. The men you see here today are from three LGAs — Alimosho, Ojo, and Oshodi-Isolo — and they will step down the training in their local areas. This is how we build a network of change.”
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His words reflected the spirit of the event — sustainability, collaboration, and grassroots impact.
A Vision for Safer Communities
The training forms part of a broader initiative by WRAHP titled “Protecting Women and Girls from Sexual Violence through Changes in Behaviour, Practices, and Attitudes of Community Members in Three Local Government Areas in Lagos State,” supported by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF).
Through this program, WRAHP aims to build a sustainable network of male advocates who will serve as watchdogs, educators, and community champions for justice and gender equality.
Facilitated by Francis Umoh, WRAHP’s Programme Manager, and Segun Babalola, Senior Programme Officer, the sessions were designed to blend knowledge with action — ensuring that participants left not just informed, but motivated to act.
By the end of the second day, the men had developed localized action plans — blueprints to replicate advocacy, awareness, and reporting structures within their communities. The energy was infectious; the commitment was genuine.
As participants posed for a final group photograph, laughter and camaraderie filled the hall — but beneath the smiles was a shared understanding of the serious responsibility ahead. These men, now equipped as advocates, had become the newest foot soldiers in the war against sexual violence in Lagos State.
For WRAHP and its partners, this was more than a training — it was the beginning of a movement of men standing up for women’s safety, dignity, and equality.