Study of Men’s Attitudes Towards Gender Equality in Bauchi State

Engaging men and boys as allies in the pursuit of gender equality is recognised as a critical strategy for sustainable social transformation in contexts where patriarchal norms are deeply entrenched. This study examines men's attitudes towards gender equality in Bauchi State, focusing on adult men across Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa, and Dass Local Government Areas. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with structured questionnaires administered to 250 male respondents drawn from urban and peri-urban communities. Data were analysed using mean item scores, frequency distributions, and one-way analysis of variance. Findings reveal a wide attitudinal spectrum, with younger, more educated men demonstrating significantly more equitable attitudes on dimensions of women's education, employment, and political participation than older, less educated respondents. Attitudes towards women's domestic roles and reproductive decision-making are least progressive across all demographic sub-groups. Religious affiliation is significantly associated with more traditional gender attitudes. Men who report having educated mothers or sisters demonstrate more equitable attitudes. The study recommends community-based gender transformative programmes that specifically target men and boys, integration of gender equality themes into school curricula, and engagement of Islamic scholars as advocates for equitable gender norms. Findings contribute to the literature on male engagement in gender equality in North East Nigeria. Keywords: men's attitudes, gender equality, Bauchi State, masculinity, gender norms