Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe Damijo has issued a powerful call to Nigerian men to take an active stand against gender based violence, declaring that the fight for women’s rights cannot be won by women alone. The 65 year old actor, popularly known as RMD, made the impassioned plea on Friday after emerging as a key stakeholder in the Male Feminists Network during an event in Abuja.
RMD’s message was direct and unflinching. He urged men to stop objectifying women and to abandon violence as a means of correction. “Just give respect to women and treat them like human beings. Or treat them like the way you would treat your daughter or your wife, with respect, with dignity,” he told the gathering. “Correcting them does not mean hitting and beating them. It is easier to talk to people these days than to just use your fist.” His remarks come amid growing concern about domestic violence and abuse in Nigeria, where advocates have long struggled to shift deeply entrenched cultural attitudes.
Drawing from his own experience in the film industry, RMD highlighted the competence and reliability of women in positions of responsibility. He revealed that during a film production two years ago, approximately 80 percent of his crew were women. “I always say to people in my profession, if you want to have anything done in government, put a woman in charge, and you can sleep with your eyes closed,” the actor stated, calling for greater inclusion of women in governance and decision making roles across Nigerian society.
Beyond individual behavior ce, RMD pointed to deeper structural problems that perpetuate discrimination against women. “There are institutionalized and systemic ways that women’s rights are trampled upon in Nigeria, and it is not soing only women can fight,” he explained. He emphasized that men must actively support organizations working to protect women’s rights and combat gender based violence, rather than remaining passive observers or leaving the burden of advocacy solely to women.
Public affairs analyst and gender advocate Dr. Otive Igbuzor reinforced RMD’s message, noting that influential public figures play a crucial role in shifting social norms. According to Igbuzor, experience has shown that traditional leaders, celebrities, and religious figures can become powerful allies in preventing gender based violence. Their visibility and cultural influence allow them to reach communities that might otherwise resist messages about gender equality and women’s rights.
RMD’s involvement with the Male Feminists Network represents a growing recognition that ending violence against women requires men to confront harmful masculinity norms and challenge other men who perpetrate abuse. As Nigeria continues to grapple with high rates of domestic violence and limited legal protections for survivors, the participation of prominent male voices in advocacy efforts could prove essential to creating lasting cultural ce. Whether such celebrity endorsements translate into meaningful policy reforms and behavioral shifts in communities across the country remains to be seen, but advocates hope that role models like RMD can help normalize men’s active participation in the fight for gender equality.
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