Tell us about yourself
My name is Halima Layeni. I am an incandescent Men’s Mental Health advocate and the Founder and Executive Director of Life Abuse Foundation (LAAF) – a dynamic non-profit organization currently focused on engaging boys and men as allies of social and systematic change toward achieving gender equality and healthy masculinity.
We provide sensitization, mentorship, and psychosocial support to boys and men across nations through organizational and policy engagement, school outreaches, community engagement, media advocacy, and psychotherapy.
Tell us about LAAF and what led to the establishment of your nonprofit (men’s mental health focus) and the impact so far.
In 2017, we uncovered 128 cases of child sexual abuse in underprivileged communities in Lagos. The plan was to grant the girls access to legal, medical, and psychosocial support. We began the process of rehabilitation and along the line, we found that our efforts were counter-productive as the cycle of abuse was still being repeated.
We then made the decision to change our target audience from females to males. One of the reasons for the perpetuation of abuse by men is the popularly held notion that women’s bodies belong to men as well as the lack of implementation of policies for offenders.
We launched the men can end violence campaign in 2021 for the purpose of educating boys and men on consent, women’s and girls’ rights, and men’s mental health.
So far, we have recorded a direct reach of more than 8000 boys and men in 4 countries and 8 states in Nigeria with support from 32 partners across Africa. We have also provided psychosocial support to some battered boys and men in Nigeria.
We have visited prisons, schools, religious establishments, police stations, and public and private sectors to advance the healthy masculinity cause. We have equally engaged relevant stakeholders and governments on the need to advance men’s mental health.
As a Men’s Mental Health Advocate, what is your experience with men living with mental health issues?
Working with men and boys has been such a humbling experience for me. Having access to the stories of the trauma and pain these men go through is a privilege I do not take for granted. I have found that as opposed to the popularly held notion that men do not speak up, men actually do when they are presented with a space that is non-judgemental and safe.
Give us an insight into the work you do and the major problems you are solving
One of the major problems we are acting to solve is to provide a safe haven for men and boys to freely seek adequate help and support for their mental and psychological well-being. Men are more likely to die by suicide than women because society is not receptive to the stories they have to tell and this is a narrative LAAF is committed to changing.
How has technology contributed to the work that you do?
The world is currently a global village and social media had made that possible for us all. Most of our work revolves around raising awareness of men’s mental health and media advocacy has contributed a great deal towards getting out message across the world.
What challenges do you face running your nonprofit, especially as a Male Based Foundation run by a woman?
One of the greatest challenges we face is the lack of adequate structure that makes provision for the mental and psychological well-being of men and boys. We have several NGOs working to ensure women and girls have access to help and support. We do not have that for men, there is little or no help available for men.
Celebrate your wins! What is your greatest achievement so far?
I honestly cannot point at one major achievement as a major, because for me, I believe every life touched is an achievement. Every day, I am thankful for the opportunity to show up to be a voice for men all over the world who do not feel heard or seen. The men who are suffering in silence and who have no idea where help is coming from.
Where do you see your organizations in the next five years?
In your opinion is gender equality just for women or men are involved in the quest for gender equality?
There’s a general misconception about what gender equality represents. Gender equality in the most basic terms simply means having people of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. Gender equality is not just for women, it equally applies to men. In fact, gender inequality is the reason why there’s a decline in men’s mental health, globally.
What are the myths or limitations of gender equality that you seek to change through your work?
In the context of men’s mental health, if battered women and girls can freely gain access to help and support, I do believe that men and boys should equally have the same access. LAAF continues to advocate for the significant need for the government and relevant stakeholders to create a system that provides support for battered men and boys.
From your experience, what are the gaps that need to be bridged in the Mental Health Systems and how do you think they can be solved?
We need to clearly distinguish between mental health and men’s mental health for obvious reasons, there is a stigma surrounding men’s mental health; men’s ability to admit they need help, and men’s ability to seek help from support centered that is specifically tailored to men’s emotional and psychological well being.
How have you been able to garner resources and support for your work?
If you continue to do the work, support will come. Passion is contagious, people can see it in your actions and hear it clearly in your words. I would say that our passion and commitment to delivery excellence have helped strengthened several partnerships and collaborations, globally.
What specific projects or programs do you need support from the public?
We are currently working on establishing a men’s social support center where boys and men can freely gain access to medical, legal, and psychosocial support. We welcome generous donations towards that as it is a pilot project that requires a lot of funding. We will appreciate donations from all and sundry.
CONTACT LIFE AFTER ABUSE FOUNDATION
Instagram: @lifeafterabusefoundation
Twitter: @LifeAfterAbuseF
Facebook: Life After Abuse Foundation
Website: www.laafng.org
WhatsApp: +234 814 8090 859
DONATE TO LAAF
Bank Name: Guarantee Trust Bank
Account Name: Life After Abuse Foundation
Account Numbers:
0267561215 NGR
0748634890 USD
0748634900 GBP
0749634917 EUR
