By Busayo Obisakin | Project leader
WIDC MENTORING BOYS AND GIRLS TO ERASE PATRIACHY IN OUR SOCIETY
Gender inequality is not solely a women’s issue and it cannot be solved by focusing only on empowering women and girls. To achieve lasting change, we must also engage those who often perpetuate these inequalities: boys, who will grow into the next generation of men shaping our societies. Recognizing this, the Women Inspiration Development Center launched an inclusive mentoring program in January 2026 that brings girls and boys together to intentionally addressing the root causes of patriarchy while nurturing a new generation grounded in equality, respect, and shared responsibility.
Patriarchy remains deeply embedded in our society, concentrating power in the hands of men across domestic, political, and economic spheres, while systematically limiting opportunities for women and girls. These inequalities are reinforced by longstanding laws, cultural norms, and institutional structures. The consequences are severe and far-reaching. Globally, over 130 million girls are out of school, trapping many in cycles of poverty and limited opportunity. Women and girls disproportionately shoulder unpaid care work, often spending up to 12 hours daily on domestic responsibilities. In Nigeria, one in three girls drops out of school due to adolescent pregnancy or child marriage, the realities that continue to undermine their futures. Meanwhile, domestic and sexual violence persist, fuelled by weak justice systems and societal tolerance.
Our mentoring program directly responds to these challenges by creating safe, inclusive spaces for transformation. Delivered primarily online, with quarterly in-person engagements, the program currently supports 162 Confident Girls Ambassadors and 45 Real Men Allies through an active WhatsApp community. Within these spaces, boys are encouraged to confront and unlearn harmful gender biases, while girls build confidence, leadership skills, and resilience. Together, they engage in honest dialogue, collaborative learning, and peer support—fostering mutual respect and a shared vision for a more equitable society. Participants consistently describe the experience as life-changing.
In the coming quarter, we will expand this initiative into schools, facilitating structured group interactions between the Confident Girls Ambassadors and Real Men Allies. This expansion will deepen impact by reaching more young people at a critical stage in their development and ensuring that both girls and boys are empowered as partners in change.
With your support, we can scale this transformative model, reach more communities, and accelerate progress toward a society where gender equality is not just an aspiration, but a lived reality.
By Busayo Obisakin | Project Leader
By Busayo Obisakin | Project Leader
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