Popular Nigerian actor, writer and producer, Chief Richard Evans Mofe-Damijo (RMD), has been appointed as a Male Feminists Network (MFN) Ambassador for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD).
RMD, alongside other ambassadors, will spearhead a nationwide campaign against gender-based violence in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists after his inauguration in Abuja yesterday,the 65-year-old veteran actor called for greater inclusion of women, particularly in government, saying experience has shown that women deliver results when given leadership responsibilities.
He said, “Personally, when I produced a film two years ago, about 80 per cent of my crew were women. I always tell people in my profession that if you want things done in government, put a woman in charge and you can sleep with both eyes closed.”
While urging men to stop objectifying women and instead treat them with dignity and respect, he said women should be respected and treated as human beings.
“Treat them the way you would treat your daughter or your wife with respect and dignity. Don’t objectify them or perpetrate violence against them. Correcting someone does not mean hitting or beating them. It is far better to talk than to use your fists,” he said.
On the fight against GBV, RMD stressed that men must take responsibility for changing harmful attitudes and behaviours, insisting that ending violence against women cannot be left to women alone.
“There are institutionalised and systemic ways women’s rights are violated in Nigeria, and this is not a battle women should fight alone. Men must also lend their voices to organisations working to protect women’s rights and end gender-based violence,” he said.
The actor dismissed attempts to equate violence against men with the widespread abuse suffered by women, arguing that the scale and prevalence of the two situations are not comparable.
According to him, meaningful change begins at home through the example men set for their families.
“It is the way you treat your wife, daughter or children that others will see and emulate,” he said.
Reflecting on changing social attitudes, RMD noted that many practices once considered acceptable were rooted in ignorance rather than deliberate cruelty.
He cited examples of inappropriate behaviour towards women that were once normalised in many communities, adding that sustained public education is helping to change such attitudes.
