The French Embassy and the French Institute of Nigeria recently organised the “Night of Ideas” conference which held at the French Institute of Nigeria in Abuja, where experts called for men’s active role in addressing violence against women.
They emphasized the importance of men educating each other about the deep societal impact of such violence. A key panel discussion, “Cities for Women: Feminist Cities,” highlighted the need for stronger laws to protect women, better enforcement, and intentional parenting to promote equality and respect.
Thierry Valentin, the Director of the French Institute of Nigeria, stressed the urgent need for greater male participation in combating violence against women in the country. He highlighted that tackling this societal problem effectively requires men to take a more active role in advocating for gender equality and supporting initiatives to eliminate violence.
Also speaking, one of the panellists and pioneers of the feminist movement, Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, added that both males and females are victims of dysfunctional and patriarchal systems that don’t pay attention to the grooming of boys.
Thierry Valentin, the Director of the French Institute of Nigeria, along with Emmanuelle Harang, the Cultural Attaché of the French embassy, initiated discussions on the upcoming 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence whilst stating embassy’s commitment to addressing important issues related to women and children.
The event featured a blend of intellectual discourse and artistic expression, including performances by Shime Ahua (music), Loveth Liberty (poetry), a human library experience and a thought-provoking photo exhibition.
The evening concluded with a networking cocktail, fostering community and shared purpose.