…Centre LSD’s Dr. Vincent Dania Provides Framework for Effective Intervention as Traditional Leaders Pledge Action on Widows’ Rights and Domestic Equality
Sankwala, Obanliku LGA – A groundbreaking dialogue on Male Feminism in Obanliku has culminated in a powerful consensus, with traditional leaders adopting the local proverb “two hands are better than one” as the bedrock for a new, practical model of gender partnership. The training, organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) with funding from Ford Foundation, equipped attendees with tangible strategies for intervention, moving beyond theory into actionable change NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
Dr. Vincent Dania, Programme Coordinator for the Male Feminists Network (MFN) at Centre LSD, set the stage by framing effective allyship. “The most effective male allies are not those who speak for women,” he stated, “but those who use their voice to amplify, not overshadow, women’s struggles.”
This philosophy was brought to life through compelling case studies presented by Dr. Dania, which contrasted the destructive results of rash, forceful intervention with the life-saving outcomes of wise, empathetic mediation. These lessons resonated deeply with the chiefs, providing a strategic playbook for their authority.
Facilitated by Dr. Elijah Terdoo Ikpanor, the session moved from global theory to local practice. Dr. Ikpanor framed Male Feminism not as a foreign concept but as the active pursuit of fairness. “It is about men standing for fairness, respect, and opportunity for all genders,” he stated, a perspective that aligned perfectly with the leaders’ own values.
The Obanliku leaders then articulated their commitment in deeply cultural terms. “If you want to make a device to carry firewood, you have only one hand. You cannot do it,” stated one chief. “You need two hands… In suffering, two hands are better than one. That is why we need our female counterparts as partners.”
This philosophy was immediately translated into tangible pledges. One traditional ruler detailed a new, proactive approach to protecting widows’ rights, mirroring the wise, dialogue-based methods championed by Dr. Dania. “When somebody die in my community leaving the woman, I will call the family… and advise them that this woman has an equal right to the property,” he shared.
Another highlighted a seismic shift in accepting female inheritance. “Nowadays… they have started telling our people the importance of women inheriting… their father’s land. And we have seen it working,” he affirmed.
The dialogue turned personal when one attendee modeled the change within his own home. “This morning, before I left… I had to wash the plates… watch the kids… It doesn’t change your status as a man,” he said, embodying the consistent, daily commitment Dr. Dania described as the journey “from conviction to consistency.”
