Understanding men’s attitudes and practices to family, community life and relationships is crucial to improving and encouraging more equitable relationships between men and women. This report is a synthesis of five studies in Nigeria exploring how the culture of masculinity impacts on the way women are viewed and treated by men, and how women themselves regard the opposite sex.
Conducted in selected states in six geographical regions in Nigeria, the report’s key findings indicate that:
- Traditional gender attitudes and behaviour may be changing in Nigeria as evidenced by responses garnered during the studies.
- At the broadest level, widely held ideas about masculinity and femininity are powerful “root causes” of gender inequality and violence against women in all its forms.
- Gender equitable and non-violent masculinities can bring important benefits to men and women alike, for example; better relationships, less stress, happier children, and future generations who reject violence against women and children in all forms.
- Positive, non-violent role models and education for men and boys (as well as women and girls) help ensure better gender equitable attitudes and behaviours. If these behaviours are inculcated in childhood and young adulthood, they last into adult life with family and possibly community-wide benefits.
- Rigid gender stereotypes of men and women create individual tensions, which find expression through negative social vices and interpersonal conflict and violence.