The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has conducted a one-day step-down training in Cross River State aimed at advancing Positive Masculinity through youth-led activism.
The training, held on Tuesday, 23 December 2025 at the UNFPA Calabar Office Conference Hall, brought together representatives of CSOs, youth activists, women’s rights advocates, past leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, and members of the Cross River State Civil Society Network.
The capacity-building programme focused on promoting Positive Masculinity among boys and young men while strengthening participants’ understanding of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of women and girls. It also sought to equip participants with advocacy and policy engagement skills to address child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and other harmful practices using both digital and non-digital communication tools.
The training was facilitated by Mr. Benedict Usang, with support from officials of the UNFPA Calabar Office and experienced resource persons drawn from various organisations, including Girls Power Initiative, Child Protection Network, African Child Foundation, Investigators Hub, and the Cross River State Football Association.
Key topics covered included masculinity and patriarchy, traditional versus positive masculinity, gender and power relations, equality and equity, SRHR, youth leadership, advocacy and digital engagement, bystander intervention, consent, bodily autonomy, and an overview of UNFPA’s work and the Positive Masculinity project.
Participants actively engaged through discussions, debates, and real-life case studies, creating a participatory learning environment. A debate on whether culture is changing or youth are changing culture generated particularly strong engagement.
Speaking during the closing session, the Lead Facilitator outlined next steps, noting that online engagements would continue via a WhatsApp platform to deepen learning and prepare participants for subsequent phases of the project. Participants also called for stronger referral systems and shared contacts for reporting cases of GBV, FGM, and child marriage in the state.
The event concluded with a group photograph and the distribution of training materials, as participants reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining advocacy efforts aimed at changing harmful social norms in Cross River State.