Africa Watch
‘School of Husbands’: How Senegal Is Challenging Deep-Rooted Gender Norms
A quiet social shift is taking place in Senegal, where a grassroots initiative known as the “School of Husbands” is encouraging men to rethink long-held ideas about masculinity, marriage and domestic responsibility.
Held in courtyards and community spaces, the sessions bring together fathers and husbands who openly discuss questions they would traditionally avoid in public: Is it acceptable for a man to fetch water? Can a husband take children to the clinic? What will society say if he does the housework?
The program, featured in a recent Al Jazeera report, is aimed at deconstructing gender stereotypes that have long shaped family life across parts of West Africa. According to organisers, the initiative recognises that changing attitudes among men is critical to improving the well-being of women and children.
One participant, a former soldier who spent 16 years in the infantry, said the programme helped him distinguish between authority and responsibility in marriage.
“I realised the behaviour I owe my family is not about barking orders,” he said. “I have a duty to care for my wife and protect her.”
The School of Husbands is endorsed by the Senegalese government and supported by the United Nations, which says the programme has produced measurable social benefits. UN-backed studies show that communities where the initiative operates have recorded lower rates of infant and maternal mortality, highlighting the link between gender equality and public health outcomes.
More than 300 men have been trained across 20 schools, with participants carefully selected by local leaders. Organisers say choosing respected men helps amplify the programme’s impact, as behavioural change among influential figures often encourages others to follow.
There are no exams or formal assignments, but the learning continues beyond the sessions. Facilitators make unannounced home visits, observing whether lessons translate into daily life. For many families, the change has been tangible.
One wife, speaking during a home visit, said her husband now listens to her opinions and values her voice in decision-making.
“Before, I ended up accepting everything,” she said. “Now, he listens. Sometimes, I even guide him.”
The initiative is also framed as a response to gender-based violence, with global statistics showing that one in three women experiences physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime, often by a partner. By promoting shared responsibility and mutual respect, organisers hope to break that cycle.
As African societies increasingly confront questions around gender equality, the Senegalese model is drawing attention beyond its borders.
Pope Leo XIV will depart on Monday, April 13, 2026, for a major 10-day apostolic journey to Africa, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
Vatican officials are describing the tour as a deliberate effort to shine a global spotlight on the continent.
The trip, spanning nearly 18,000 kilometers (11,185 miles) and including stops in 11 cities and towns, will be the longest and most ambitious overseas journey of the pontiff’s young papacy.
During the tour, running from April 13 to 23, the 70-year-old Pope is scheduled to deliver 25 speeches, hold meetings with political leaders, and engage extensively with local Catholic communities.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official and close adviser to Pope Leo, said the visit is intended “to help turn the world’s attention to Africa.”
He noted that by heading to the continent early in his pontificate, the first American Pope is sending a strong message that “Africa matters” and should not be overlooked amid other global concerns.
Africa is currently the fastest-growing region for Catholicism, with more than 20% of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics now living on the continent. Equatorial Guinea, which has not hosted a papal visit since 1982, is over 70% Catholic, while significant Catholic populations exist in Cameroon and Angola. Algeria, by contrast, is overwhelmingly Muslim with a small Catholic community.
The tour comes as Pope Leo has taken an increasingly vocal stance against the ongoing war in Iran. Vatican officials say the African visit reflects both the Church’s pastoral priorities and its commitment to global solidarity with regions often marginalized in international discourse.
Washington, D.C. – The United States has issued a strong travel advisory urging its citizens to reconsider all travel to Nigeria, citing persistent threats of terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and armed attacks across large parts of the country.
In an update released last Wednesday, the US State Department placed several Nigerian states under its highest-level “Do Not Travel” warning due to the deteriorating security situation.
The advisory also authorised the voluntary departure of non-emergency US embassy staff and their families from Abuja, describing the overall environment as increasingly challenging for American citizens and diplomats.
Despite deepening security cooperation between Washington and Abuja — including counter-terrorism support, intelligence sharing, maritime security, and military training with US-supplied aircraft and helicopters — the move underscores the gap between strategic partnership and the daily reality of insecurity faced by civilians and foreigners in many regions.
The advisory warns that violent attacks could occur with little or no warning in public places such as markets, hotels, places of worship, schools, and transportation hubs.
Nigerian authorities have yet to issue a formal response to the latest warning. In the past, officials have criticised such advisories for unfairly tarnishing the country’s image and potentially harming diaspora travel, international conferences, and foreign investment at a time when Nigeria is seeking economic recovery.
The development comes amid a fresh surge in deadly attacks in parts of the country, raising renewed concerns about the effectiveness of ongoing counter-insurgency operations against groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as banditry and communal violence in other regions.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ghana Embassy in Ethiopia and Permanent Mission to the African Union and UNECA has officially launched “Ghana Month,” a major cultural and diplomatic initiative aimed at deepening ties between Ghana and Ethiopia while showcasing Ghana’s rich heritage across Africa.
The celebration, running throughout May 2026 at Kuriftu Village in partnership with Kuriftu Resorts, will feature cultural performances, creative exhibitions, music, fashion, culinary experiences, and entrepreneurial showcases. It is expected to attract diplomats, business leaders, tourists, and the Ethiopian public.
Counsellor Ms Grace Maakinyi Mbiba, in her opening remarks, described the initiative as “an opportunity to showcase the diversity of Ghana’s heritage and the dynamism of its creative and entrepreneurial sectors.”
Ambassador Dr Robert Afriyie commended Kuriftu Resorts for the collaboration, calling it a true embodiment of Pan-Africanism. He noted that the event aligns with Ghana’s broader vision of using tourism, culture, music, fashion, and history to promote continental unity and economic cooperation.
The Ambassador highlighted the growing bilateral relationship between Ghana and Ethiopia and positioned the month-long celebration as a practical platform to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through cultural exchange and people-to-people connections.
The initiative is expected to boost tourism, trade, and mutual understanding between the two nations.
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