Kole Shettima, Director Nigeria Office of the MacArthur Foundation, said concerted efforts is needed to end violence against women as the world marks the end of 16-day activism against sexual and gender-based violence.
The media expert who spoke in a short video posted on MacArthur Foundation’s Twitter handle, explained that men have greater role to play in putting an end to the menace as it affects women’s mental and physiological perceptions.
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Shettima said the theme of this year’s activities which is centered on ending violence against women and girls, is critical considering the fact that with untiring efforts by all, violence especially against women will be stopped.
He further noted that unity among men and women in urban and rural areas is crucial to the attainment of the set goals.
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“For me as a man I think what is more important is about the roles men will play in bringing about an end or significant reduction towards violence against women,” said Shettima. “We know that violence against women or violence in general is more perpetrated by men than women and it is critical role that male play that we need to look at.”
He called for efforts to deconstruct the mental activities and to reshape the men’s perception about women folks saying, women are more prone to abuse than women.
“I hope that all of us is uniting against violence against women, we should look at the patricial ideologies, the norms and values.
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“We think about how do we deconstruct the activities of the men, how do we deconstruct the mental and upbringing of men that make them prone to violence and see violence as the only way to express themselves or dehumanizing other people or especially dehumanizing women,” he added.
Shettima called for proper attention, especially media coverage, to checkmate activities that make men to resorts to violence in expressing themselves.
