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Paper short abstract:

Raising children appropriately is increasingly difficult in Lagos. Women are mainly responsible for childcare and household while also creating income. In light of the absence of men in fertility, I look at the underlying structures and the compatibility of family and work from their perspective.

Paper long abstract:

Families in Lagos, Nigeria, are facing increasing financial pressures due to the economic crisis. Even though this might possibly be a factor for declining birth rates, most people still want to have at least two or three children. To raise these children appropriately, almost all couples have to rely on incomes from both partners. With the conventional role ideals, this means that women are mainly responsible for childcare and household chores while still working outside of the house. Also beyond that, in the fields of fertility, family planning and pregnancy, the absence of men and masculinity seems to persist.

In line with the „seeming over-emphasis on women‘s rights and well-being“ in gender studies, my PhD project and currently ongoing research (04/2023 - 05/2024) focus on formally employed women in Lagos and how they manage their fertility through methods to prevent, time or facilitate births. These can be seen as strategies to make family and career more compatible.

But the underlying structures and role ideals also concern and impact men, which is the topic I propose for this panel. Having several children creates demands in care, household and financial provision. More flexible gender roles with both partners being involved in every aspect of family life could contribute to make it easier. How are colonial „notions of masculinity and femininity“, especially the idea of a housewife, impacting these gender relations? How would role ideals, societal expectations, but also employment relationships and work schedules have to change in order to facilitate that?

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Paper short abstract:

With predictions of gender tilt where men would face a spate of threatened masculinities, this article presents research findings of engagement with boys at two editions of the Ibadan Boys’ Summit, to interrogate what genderspace and their (dis) connects means to boys.

Paper long abstract:

Current trends in gender studies across Africa differ somewhat in focus when compared with prevailing global discourses on gender. Recent trends have shown that any meaningful gender relation in an African space must be built on complementarity and not competition, replacing independence and dependence with a middle course of interdependence. To affirm this, studies have predicted an imminent gender tilt where masculinities would be threatened, and men would face a spate of violence and marginalization. However, gender relations have concentrated less on this; its sweeping rise, and the danger it poses to decades of feminist labor. My years of research and documentation of women revealed the need to engage men, and, in doing this, I realized that building a boy is easier than repairing a man. This article presents research findings from engagement with boys at two editions of the Ibadan Boys’ Summit, organized for boys between the ages 10-18. By examining what genderspace means to boys, the paper argues that concepts such as single-fatherhood, rebachelorization, and widowerhood among others must be examined to interrogate (dis) connections with decades of women and girl-child empowerment. This qualitative study engages critical analysis, deconstructive and reconstructive argumentation to unpack what transformative masculinity would mean in Nigeria, and if its universalization is achievable and desirable.

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Paper short abstract:

Beyond colonial legacies through which street men are figured as embodying a dangerous and un(re)productive masculinity, how do young men talk about their lives as family men or lovers? How might exploring these narratives of vulnerability enable a more complex account of masculinity on the streets?

Paper long abstract:

With diminishing state welfare and rising unemployment in Nigeria, many young men increasingly turn the streets to seek alternative routes to financial security beyond the formal work economy. Literature on street life in many African contexts has shown how the street emerges as both a physical space of male sociality and labour and a figurative site for imagining new opportunities for hustling and belonging. Yet with a focus on practices of body building (Masquelier, 2019), bluff spending (Newell, 2013), gang territoriality and crime (Geenen, 2009; Iwilade, 2023), much of this literature has primarily accounted for the cultivation of hard masculinity on the streets where men get by through performances of toughness and crude force.

In this paper, drawing on ethnographic research in Lagos, I consider how street men narrate their more vulnerable experiences as lovers and family men and ask, how do these accounts complicate take-for-granted notions of street men as hard men? My approach in this paper will be part historical and part ethnographic. On the one hand, I am interested in the enduring legacies of the figuration of street men, since colonial times, as embodiments of a particular kind of dangerous and un(re)productive masculinity. On the other hand, I am interested in the ways these young men come to narrate scenes of vulnerability which are not immediately obvious in their public performances. I examine how these accounts of intimacy and family responsibility offer a space for young men to signal respectability under conditions of precarity on the streets.

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Paper short abstract:

This study argues that despite patriarchal power, men also position themselves as victims in their narratives about their marital challenges. It analyses Nigerian men’s self-positioning and constructions of victimhood in their narratives about their marital discords posted on Joro on Instagram

Paper long abstract:

How do men position themselves when they identify themselves as victims in their narratives about their marital challenge? What is the nature of victimhood portrayed in such narratives? What is the influence of masculinity and patriarchal power structures on their self-positioning? What sociocultural and ideological underpinnings underlie their self-positioning in the narratives? What does this role reversal tell about gender roles, stratification and stereotypes in Nigerian marriages? Existing studies on marital discord have examined its psychological effects on couples and the extent to which it limits marital satisfaction. Most studies on marital discord have focused on women’s voices in the narratives about marital discord and the psychological effect it has on marital partners. This study deviates from such studies by arguing that men also position themselves as victims in their narratives about their marital discord, and through social media platforms, they are breaking gendered stereotypes about marriages in Nigeria by contributing their voices to the narratives about marital discord. The study utilises discourse analytic methods with insights from Davies and Harre’s Positioning Theory to textually and thematically analyse Nigerian men’s self-positioning and constructions of identity in their narratives about their marital discords as posted on Joro on Instagram . The study maintains that men’s narratives about marital discords provides insights into how patriarchy and societal constructs of gender roles in marriage shape men’s constructions of victimhood in cases of marital discordance.

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Paper short abstract:

This paper discusses and contests the logic of male-bashing in radical separatist African literature and emphasizes how feminism is potentially liberating both for men and women.

Paper long abstract:

While acknowledging the quest for equality that feminism champions in African societies, this paper, through an analysis of Nawal El Saadawi's Woman at Point Zero and selected Akan proverbs, contests the logic fueling male-bashing by foregrounding certain often-ignored variables in this debate: first, the faulty homogenization/essentialization of men and women (and by extension, the neglection of intersectionality) and, second, the constraints certain cultural expectations pose to men. By distinguishing between social and epistemic positions, this paper argues that because feminism is potentially liberating for both women and men, we can all be feminists. It concludes by foregrounding a recent attempt by African men (i.e., The Stingy Men Association of Nigeria) to contest the contradictions of a distorted vision of feminist masculinity which holds on to ideas about strength and providing for others (essential in patriarchal thought), while dropping their investment in domination.

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Paper short abstract:

This study examines the stigma, discrimination, and mental health crisis that black men in South Africa face and how this has been represented on various social media platforms.

Paper long abstract:

This study examines the stigma, discrimination, and mental health crisis that black men in South Africa face and how this has been represented on various social media platforms. Although previous scholarly work on the subject has covered various types of mental disorders, this study seeks to demonstrate how black men with mental health challenges are often neglected in African communities and how the public present this problem on social media, and the impact that these (mis)representations have had. General neglect of mental health among African men has resulted in poor health outcomes, social isolation, and high suicide rates. The study will concentrate on South Africa, where mental health has triggered the third-highest suicide rate among men in Africa. The stigma associated with depression and suicidal behaviour is perpetuated in great part by masculine norms and societal preconceptions about what it means to be a man. Males are still trained to suppress their emotions, and the myth that "real man do not cry" persists. The recent spate in the number of celebrities who took their lives in South Africa, with no clear reasons which drove them to commit suicide is a microcosmic reflection of the prevailing unreported situation throughout the country. The incidence of suicidality in South African communities reflects the societal mental health crisis. Therefore, the study seeks to explore the links between community stigmatisation, discrimination, inequality, social media, culture, and religion, as well as to proffer suggestions for raising awareness, knowledge and a base for future research.

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Paper short abstract:

Rising levels of migration and traditional customs such as Omugwo are pushing Nigerian fathers and grandfathers into a new type of bachelorhood as their families relocate abroad without them. What are the socio-cultural implications of this trend on masculinity, gender relations and familyhood?

Paper long abstract:

One of the effects of the alarming rate of migration called Japa in Nigerian parlance is the nascent trend in a growing number of married men in Nigeria -- fathers and grandfathers entering a new type of bachelorhood as their families relocate abroad without them. Often, such separations, which last from a few months to several years, may arise from mothers securing a new job, or more especially from the traditional customs of Omugwo whereby grandmothers travel to their daughters’ homes abroad to provide live-in post-partum care after the birth of a child. Perceived in some quarters as a ‘gang up’ of wives and daughters against men, Omugwo has resulted in a form of ‘rebachelorisation’, a situation whereby fathers left behind are thrown back to a life of ‘singlehood’ characterised by domestic drudgery, frailty, loneliness, depression, and even reckless socialisation. This understudied trend raises questions of social and cultural import. What does it say about the valorisation of masculinity? How does it affect gender relations in a fast-evolving society? How does it implicate familyhood? Drawing on ecological theories of family, this study seeks to analyse data gathered from in-depth Interviews and questionnaire responses of affected male respondents to examine the cultural and social implications of this trend on masculinity, gender relations and familyhood.

Keywords: Japa, Omugwo, masculinity, gender relations, familyhood

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Paper short abstract:

There is a gross violation of Women rights in Igbo land. They are discriminated and humiliated in critical issues that affect their lives. This paper surveys this and its solution .

Paper long abstract:

There is a gross violation of Women rights in Igbo land. They are discriminated and humiliated in critical issues that affect their lives. Women are denied rights to inheritance of properties, succession to thrones and also precluded from membership of’ secret’ societies such as ‘Ekpe’ that make and enforce fundamental laws for the people . This happen in spite of the Provision of the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended ) in section 42 that makes provision to ‘’right to freedom from discrimination ‘’ by reasons of Sex , Religion or political opinion and the Convention for the elimination of all sorts of Discrimination Against women ( CEDAW 1979) . The situation is so grave that some state governments in Igbo land have made laws that abolished all kinds of discrimination against women in line with the doctrine of social justice. But such laws have not changed these abuses.

This paper surveys these state of affairs, why , the effects on the victims and the remedies .

KEY WORDS : Constitution , Discrimination , Equality , Social Justice , Human Rights .

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Paper short abstract:

In today's world, masculinity seems to occupy frontal positions in discourses; this is a result of years of neglect in favor of femininity. This paper seeks to evaluate the provisional Olojojo Omo Culture and re-examines how societal expectations shape the experiences of 'senior' men in Africa.

Paper long abstract:

Within the context of gender appreciation, the pendulum of preference has, for a very long, tilted in favor of the feminine gender, whom colonial history seems to have underestimated and misrepresented in its attempt to break the monotony of patriarchy in Africa. The consequence of this gigantic move is the apparent abandonment of the opposite gender, and this is, in recent times, taking frontal positions in gender discourses. On the one hand, the determinants of masculine experiences in Africa beyond the fluidity of expressions are largely the broad perceptions of gender roles pivoted on the wheel of culture and traditions, norms, and religious expectations. These stereotypes, including being soul providers, possessing physical strengths, and stoic qualities, are some of the foundational delimitations to experiencing the pleasures of masculinity, particularly in old age. Against this background, on the other hand, the rules of parentage and life's continuity cast upon the provisions that women generationally connect through the Olojojo Omo (Omugwo) Culture, a pattern of consistencies wherein women provide postpartum care for their female wards has also deepened the strain. Therefore, beyond the stereotypes, this study re-examines how societal perceptions and expectations shape men's experiences in African premises. The study identifies that family structures and individual dispositions are some of the reasons men return to 'singlehood' in their later years. The qualitative study explored the use of structured and unstructured questionnaires and interview methods in generating data for the discourse.

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Paper short abstract:

The study explores how male counterparts in the DRC army perceive women soldiers. The inclusion of women in the armed forces is context-dependent and may not necessarily have positive impacts on the army.

Paper long abstract:

There has been a longstanding body of literature on women in the armed forces at least since the 1970s (Segal, 1999). This literature varies considerably in its approach, from feminist work that reflects on the forms of masculinity produced through military and militarization, to work that considers women’s role in the army and attitudes towards women in the army. Furthermore, policy efforts to increase women’s participation in the army (such as UN Security Council Resolution 1325) have explicitly called for the inclusion of women in peace and security efforts. In this paper, we contribute to this literature by assessing how male former combatants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, living in Johannesburg, talk about the women they fought alongside. In doing so, we reconsider the impact that war and associated forms of militarization have on notions of masculinity and femininity both in times of war and its aftermath. We further explore how men’s notions of gender were challenged by the presence of women in the army and how they negotiated this in light of the highly masculine contexts they operated in. We argue that the inclusion of women in the armed forces is heavily shaped by the context and meaning given to conflict and cannot automatically be assumed to have a positive impact on the functioning and practices of the army. We draw out the implications for how the gendered nature of the army is restructured in post-war contexts and its influence on demilitarization efforts.

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Paper short abstract:

This study deconstructs the cultural concept known as Akọ igi kì í ṣoje within Yorùbá masculinity by unveiling men’s vulnerability. It traces the historical origin, cultural beliefs, and the impact of this concept on mental and psychological well-being of Yorùbá men.

Paper long abstract:

The cultural concept of Akọ igi kì í ṣoje in Yorùbá parlance has deprived men of their rights to express themselves emotionally when hurt. As a result, men are expected to exhibit strength, resilience, and emotional stoicism, avoiding displaying vulnerability or emotions such as crying, even when facing challenges or emotional distress. However, this concept has faced criticism for its potential impact on men’s mental health, arguing that encouraging emotional suppression can lead to psychological distress, as it restricts men from seeking help, expressing their feelings, or seeking emotional support when needed. This can contribute to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression, as individuals may feel pressured to conform to societal expectations rather than address their emotional well-being. In light of the above, this study deconstructs the cultural concept of Akọ igi kì í ṣoje within Yorùbá masculinity by unveiling men’s vulnerability like their women counterparts. This study has three fundamental objectives: first, to trace the historical origin and evolution of this cultural concept. second is to analyze the cultural beliefs and values associated with Akọ igi kì í ṣoje. Finally, to evaluate the potential impact of the concept Akọ igi kì í ṣoje on the mental and psychological well-being of Yorùbá men. To achieve these objectives, this study adopts a qualitative method of data collection by conducting interviews with men of different groups and custodians of Yorùbá culture. The study argues that addressing and deconstructing such cultural norms is essential for promoting healthier attitudes toward masculinity and mental health.

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Paper short abstract:

This paper draws on the various commentaries on social media platforms- characterised by jest, victim blame and the validation of the currently prevalent femicide cases-to assess how these reactions expose the gender tensions and anxieties that define masculinity and/or femininity in Kenya.

Paper long abstract:

The recent upsurge of femicide cases in the East African country, Kenya, has seen trending hashtags on social media platforms from #EndFemicideKe, #TotalShutDownKe to #StopKillingWomen. According to Femicide Count Kenya, the country experienced 152 femicide cases in 2023 which is considered the highest in the past five years (Lawal, 2024). On 27th January 2024, thousands of protestors, mostly women, took to the streets of major cities in Kenya- Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu- as part of an anti-femicide demonstration. Ironically, these killings have foregrounded gender tensions with a male population that is both anxious and embittered. While most Kenyans, especially women, have employed digital platforms as a space for activism against femicide, the site has also brought to light contradictory attitudes of Kenyan men towards femicide. Drawing on digital counterpublics, this paper highlights the gender tensions that ails the nation producing a culture that shames victims rather than perpetrators, denies women their bodily autonomy and the looming xenophobia that these deaths have aroused. Despite the varied circumstances under which the victims faced their deaths, this paper highlights an adamant association of femicide with promiscuity, materialism and greed. This, by extension, creates a binary of victims, the deserving versus the non-deserving, of death. Simultaneously, these killings call attention to anxieties that Kenyan men grapple with in fighting the "sponsor culture" and the commodification of interpersonal relations that leave young, “poor” men relationship-less.