Delta Activist Edewor Egedegbe Calls On Men To Stop Gender Violence

Edewor Egedegbe, a prominent Niger Delta activist, has raised alarm over Nigeria’s low ranking in maternal health and gender equality.

He noted that the country placed 130th out of 146 nations in the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report. The report records a maternal mortality rate of 512 deaths per 100,000 live births alongside high incidences of gender-based violence.

Egedegbe appealed to Nigerian men to take an active role in advancing gender equality and combating gender-based violence.

The activist, who also serves as Executive Director of the Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative, made the call in Warri on Friday while inaugurating the Male Feminist Network (MFN) for the South-South region.

Addressing participants at the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre in Warri, Egedegbe explained that the initiative, in collaboration with the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), “aims to redefine masculinity and encourage men to champion women’s empowerment.”

He added, “The movement was created to tackle entrenched inequalities that continue to disadvantage women both globally and within Nigeria.”

Egedegbe expressed concern that despite years of advocacy, women remain marginalized socially, economically, and politically. He stated, “Worldwide, women have limited access to social protection, decent employment, and financial services. In Nigeria, women occupy only 4.7 per cent of House of Representatives seats and 2.7 per cent of Senate positions, some of the lowest figures globally.”

He further noted, “Nigeria’s ranking of 130th out of 146 countries in the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, combined with a maternal mortality rate of 512 deaths per 100,000 live births and widespread gender-based violence, underscores the gravity of the situation. These statistics represent real lives, families, and futures at stake.”

Egedegbe told journalists that the Male Feminist Network “seeks to cultivate a community of informed men who advocate for gender justice, lead public campaigns, and support policies that guarantee dignity and equality for women and girls.”

He explained, “Our goal is to nurture a generation of male champions who recognize that empowering women strengthens families, communities, and nations.”

Calling on men from all sectors of society to join the movement, Egedegbe emphasized, “Gender equality is not solely a women’s issue; it is a human concern. Every man has women he cares for—as mothers, sisters, wives, or daughters. We are urging men to act as protectors rather than oppressors, partners rather than perpetrators.”

He also commended media professionals, civil society actors, and community leaders for their support, highlighting the essential role of advocacy in sustaining the gender equality agenda.

In a similar message, Professor Andrew Agboro, Chairman of the Delta State Civil Society Organisations Forum, stressed the media’s responsibility in promoting gender justice. He said, “The media can challenge stereotypes, raise awareness, and mobilize citizens to drive social change.”

Agboro encouraged journalists to “employ inclusive language, produce gender-sensitive reporting, and highlight women in diverse roles,” while urging media organizations to implement internal codes of ethics and gender policies that foster equality within newsrooms and the wider society.

The launch of the Male Feminist Network represents a strategic effort to transform the discourse on gender equality by engaging men as allies, redefining traditional patriarchal roles, and using media platforms to amplify messages of inclusion and equity.

Source: Informationng