In a world that's rapidly changing, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, has called on the society to shift how it views masculinity and to start paying more attention to the struggles and voices of the boy-child.
The Commissioner said this at the Boycode Conference organized by The Stellar Initiative, on Saturday, in Lagos.
The Boycode Conference; the largest male gathering of future innovators, leaders and disruptors, is a development architecture designed to address the longstanding systemic neglect of boys and young men in Africa.
In his keynote, Ogunlende maintained that oftentimes when we talk about issues of children, the focus is mostly on the girl child, adding that it is important to know that boys face their unique challenges and vulnerabilities that deserve our attention and support.
He further stated that the boy child is expected to be tough, hide his emotions, and most often, he is forced to conform to rigid stereotypes like toxic masculinity, leading to emotional suppression, unnecessary pressure, poor mental health, among others. The trend, he said, is inimical to societal growth, stressing that it is ok for boys to cry.
His words: “Society makes us think that because we are men, we should not cry. A lot of boys are suffering from mental health but we don't know, because we cannot cry.
This has forced a lot of young people to go into fraudulent means like scam, robbery and others just to have money.”
“Boys globally encounter various obstacles, including struggle with societal expectations, leading to mental health concerns. They also face harmful stereotypes, which can negatively impact their well-being and development.”
“By giving a voice to the boy child, we can challenge these harmful stereotypes and create space for boys to express themselves authentically. Encouraging emotional intelligence and empathy in boys can help them develop healthier relationships and a better understanding of themselves and others. It’s essential to teach boys that it’s okay to feel and express a full range of emotions, whether it’s joy, sadness, anger, or fear.”
Mobolaji noted that giving a voice to the boy child in society is essential for creating a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate world, adding that by challenging harmful stereotypes, promoting inclusive education, addressing systemic barriers, highlighting positive male role models, and fostering supportive parenting practices, “we can empower boys to thrive and contribute positively to their communities.
In her welcome address, the Convener, Precious Eniayekan, said the conference was aimed at changing the narrative around boys, adding it is a call to action for them as an organisation.
According to her, “The Boycode Conference isn't just a gathering, it is a seminal moment in our continent's story. We convene today because we believe that African boys, when empowered, mentored, and anchored by.purpose, can redefine masculinity, reshape legacy, and lead with empathy and brilliance.”
The global development ecosystem has made critical strides in addressing gender disparities, particularly by investing in girls and women. While this progress is essential, it has not been matched by equal investment in the structured development of boys, particularly those from fragile contexts. Boycode was developed to confront this imbalance not through charity, but through systems design.
