The Regional Workshop on Positive Masculinity and the Fight Against GBV in Nairobi

The "Regional Workshop on Positive Masculinity and the Fight Against GBV," a significant convening held at the PrideInn: Westlands Banquet Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, on April 22nd and 23rd, 2025, brought together a diverse and engaged cohort of stakeholders from across the African continent. The primary objective was to foster a collaborative environment for discussing and developing effective strategies aimed at eradicating the persistent and devastating issue of violence against women and girls. A central and consistently emphasized theme throughout the two-day event was the critical and indispensable role of actively engaging men and boys as allies and agents of change in the ongoing pursuit of gender equality.

In-Depth Insights from Key Speakers

His Excellency Dr. Matthew Ochieng Owili, the esteemed Deputy Governor of Kisumu County, delivered opening remarks that immediately set the stage for the critical discussions to follow. He began by acknowledging the stark and unacceptable reality of the alarmingly high prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) not only within the borders of Kenya but also on a global scale, thereby underscoring the urgent need for immediate and sustained action. His Excellency Dr. Owili then articulated the pivotal role of actively cultivating and promoting positive masculinity as a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring the safety, security, and overall well-being of women and young girls within our communities. He emphasized that fostering respectful and non-violent attitudes among men is crucial in creating environments where women and girls can thrive without fear. Furthermore, Dr. Owili underscored the significant and non-negotiable responsibility of government bodies and policymakers at all levels in formulating, enacting, and rigorously enforcing relevant and impactful policies and robust regulations specifically designed to effectively address and mitigate the devastating impact of GBV across all sectors of society. Looking towards the future, he also highlighted a proactive and timely initiative: the recent launch of a vital study specifically focused on understanding and combating the escalating cyber threats that disproportionately affect young people in today's increasingly digital world.

Ms. Maureen Onyango, the dedicated Lead for SRHR EVAWG at Femnet, provided a compelling and insightful perspective, emphasizing the paramount importance of achieving meaningful and sustained male engagement as an absolutely integral component of any comprehensive and effective strategy aimed at ultimately ending the pervasive scourge of GBV within our communities and societies. Drawing upon the valuable evidence and practical insights emerging from on-the-ground programming and interventions, she highlighted the significant launch of a compelling and impactful report. This report was the result of collaborative and participatory research meticulously undertaken by young girls themselves across seven diverse African nations, lending a powerful and authentic voice to their experiences and perspectives. The findings of this research served as a powerful testament to the tangible and transformative impact that proactive, genuine, and sustained male allyship can have in effectively addressing and ultimately preventing GBV within communities at all levels. Furthermore, Ms. Oduor astutely acknowledged the crucial and unwavering support consistently provided by the Kenyan government, alongside the collaborative and synergistic efforts of prominent international organizations such as Plan International and UN Women, in collectively advancing the critical and overarching agenda of gender equality and the comprehensive fight against GBV across the entire African continent.G

Mr. Michael Gitere, the committed Project Officer for the "She Leads" program at Plan International Kenya, offered a comprehensive and illuminating overview of their impactful and transformative program, clearly elucidating its core mission and overarching objectives. He explained that the "She Leads" program is specifically designed to empower girls and young women to actively and meaningfully participate in decision-making processes at all levels and to confidently assume leadership roles within their respective communities. Mr. Gitere astutely underscored the often-underestimated yet absolutely critical role of proactively and strategically engaging boys and men as invaluable allies and essential partners in the collective and sustained pursuit of achieving comprehensive and substantive gender equality across all spheres of society. He also shared encouraging and significant developments, specifically highlighting the successful formation and ongoing provision of support to dedicated men's groups established in the regions of Mombasa and Kisumu. These grassroots initiatives are specifically and intentionally focused on actively promoting and deeply embedding the core principles of positive masculinity at the community level, thereby fostering a fundamental and lasting shift in prevailing attitudes, challenging harmful norms, and promoting positive behaviors from within the social fabric.

The Honorable Dr. Nancy Barasa, the esteemed Chairperson of the Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence of the Republic of Kenya, delivered a powerful and insightful address that underscored the profound significance and timely relevance of the regional workshop in proactively and comprehensively addressing the critical issue of GBV and diligently promoting the fundamental principles of gender equality across all sectors of society. She astutely articulated the pivotal and interconnected roles of both comprehensive education and meaningful economic empowerment as indispensable catalysts and key drivers in the long-term pursuit of achieving genuine, sustainable, and transformative gender equality within communities and at the national level. Furthermore, Hon. Dr. Barasa thoughtfully highlighted the crucial importance of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, recognizing it as a landmark and significant step towards realizing a future for the African continent that is truly free from the devastating impact of GBV.

Conclusion: A Unified Path Towards Lasting Change

The "Regional Workshop on Positive Masculinity and the Fight Against GBV" held in Nairobi served as a crucial and impactful platform for fostering dialogue, sharing critical insights, and strengthening collaborative partnerships in the ongoing and vital effort to eradicate violence against women and girls across the African continent. The powerful voices and the unwavering commitments articulated by the key speakers and participants alike underscored a growing and unified determination to confront this pervasive issue head-on. The consistent emphasis on actively engaging men and boys as allies and agents of change, coupled with a recognition of the fundamental roles of government, civil society organizations, and empowered young people, provides a robust and promising foundation for future action. The invaluable knowledge exchanged, the crucial connections forged, and the renewed sense of collective purpose generated during this significant event in Nairobi will undoubtedly play a vital and enduring role in shaping more effective, sustainable, and ultimately transformative strategies and initiatives aimed at creating safer, more equitable, and violence-free societies for all women and girls throughout Africa.