Department of Gender trains adolescent boys on positive masculinity to fight gender-based violence

As part of ongoing efforts to reduce gender-based violence (GBV) in Ghana, the Department of Gender has initiated a nationwide training programme targeting adolescent boys. The sessions aim to teach principles of positive masculinity, respect, consent and healthy relationships, hoping to foster a generation that rejects violence and promotes equality.

Officials overseeing the programme described it as essential to tackling the root causes of GBV. They argued that long-standing cultural norms and misconceptions about masculinity contribute significantly to violence against women and girls. By engaging boys at a young age, the initiative seeks to challenge harmful stereotypes and encourage responsible behaviour.

During the training sessions, facilitators emphasise respect, empathy, communication and accountability. They encourage participants to understand consent, reject aggressive behaviour, and support equality in domestic and social settings. Role-plays, group discussions and mentorship are used to help boys internalise positive values and relate them to their daily lives and future relationships.

Community leaders and school authorities have welcomed the intervention, calling it timely and necessary. Several Ghanaian youth groups have pledged to support the initiative and expand outreach to reach more communities, particularly in areas where GBV incidents remain high.

Social workers involved in the programme note that shifting attitudes will take time but stress that education and open discussion are key to long term change. They believe that engaging young men in conversations about gender norms is a more sustainable way to prevent violence than reactive measures alone.

Advocacy organisations have also called for broader support from families, religious institutions and policy makers. They argue that positive masculinity training should be complemented by legal reforms, stronger enforcement against offenders and support services for survivors of violence.

As the training progresses, the Department of Gender hopes to monitor behavioural changes and measure the impact through community feedback, school reports and violence statistics. They see the programme as part of a broader societal effort to promote respect, fairness and non-violence across gender lines. If successful, the initiative may serve as a model for other nations grappling with gender-based violence and youth empowerment.