The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) has unveiled an ambitious plan to train and certify at least 1,000 men and boys across Nigeria on male feminism and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention as part of activities marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
The initiative comes amid rising concerns over digital violence, misogyny, and online harassment directed at women, reflected in this year’s global theme: “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
According to Centre LSD, participants will be enrolled in a self-paced online course on Male Feminism and GBV Prevention, described as the first comprehensive program me of its kind on the internet. The course was developed with contributions from gender scholars, including at least five professors, three PhD holders, and frontline activists working on social norms and violence prevention.
Speaking on the programme, Dr. Vincent Dania, PMP, Project Lead and Programme Coordinator at Centre LSD, said the training is designed to confront the root causes of violence against women including patriarchy, harmful socialisation, and long-standing misinterpretations of religious texts.
Dania added that participants will undergo ten learning modules covering topics such as power dynamics, positive masculinity, gender inequality, and practical GBV-response strategies. To receive certification and join the Male Feminists Network (MFN), learners must complete the course and pass a 100-question assessment.
As part of an effort to remove financial barriers, Centre LSD will offer scholarships and data stipends to selected men and boys residing in Nigeria. Although the course is open globally, the scholarship support is limited to residents within the country.
The organisation said the initiative reflects its broader mission to shift cultural and structural norms that enable violence against women and girls especially at a time when digital platforms continue to amplify misogynistic content.
Centre LSD also acknowledged support from the Ford Foundation, noting that the partnership has strengthened ongoing efforts to promote prevention-focused strategies, positive masculinities, and safer communities.
The course can be accessed via mfn.centrelsd.org, while participants may apply for data reimbursement upon completion through a designated online portal.
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