On July 2, 2026, Neighbourhood Environment Watch (NEW) Foundation, through the Male Feminists Network (MFN) Project, convened a Joint Planning Meeting with Women’s Rights Organizations from across the Southeast to strengthen collaboration and coordinate efforts toward advancing gender equality and preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders united by a shared commitment to promoting women’s rights and building safer, more inclusive communities. Participants included representatives from the Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, led by the Honourable Commissioner, the National Human Rights Commission (Ebonyi State Office), the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Taskforce, and several civil society organizations working across the Southeast to advance the rights, protection, and empowerment of women and girls.
The planning session served as an important platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and strategic coordination. Participants exchanged experiences, identified common priorities, and explored opportunities for stronger collaboration in addressing the root causes of gender inequality and violence against women and girls.
A key focus of the meeting was the development of a coordinated strategy for engaging men and boys as allies in promoting women’s rights, challenging harmful gender norms, and preventing Gender-Based Violence. Discussions emphasized that sustainable progress toward gender equality requires the active involvement of all sectors of society, particularly men, alongside women-led organizations, government institutions, and community leaders.
Participants also explored opportunities to strengthen referral pathways, improve community engagement, amplify advocacy efforts, and promote evidence-based interventions that can drive lasting social change across the Southeast.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to partnership, coordination, and collective action. Participants agreed on the importance of maintaining regular collaboration, sharing resources and expertise, and working together to create communities where women and girls can live free from violence, discrimination, and inequality.
Speaking on the significance of the engagement, NEW Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to building strong partnerships that advance the objectives of the Male Feminists Network Project and contribute to a society where gender equality is embraced as a shared responsibility.
The Joint Planning Meeting marked another important milestone in strengthening regional collaboration and demonstrates the power of collective action in advancing women’s rights, promoting positive masculinity, and creating sustainable systems for preventing Gender-Based Violence.
