"I used to yell at my wife at the slightest provocation. Exposition to gender action learning has tempered me. I noticed that when I talk with my wife as a friend and get actvely involved in the affairs of the home beyond providing the resources, she willingly gives me all the support we need to move our family forward," said Hamza Gabarin, a father of four from Darazo local government area of Bauchi state.
Hamza Gabarin and his wife, Sadisu Dulaiha were both participants in the Gender Action Learning Systems (GALS) training that held in Misau LGA, Bauchi in January 2021. Implemented as a component of the Oxfam Livelihood and Empowerment project through funding support by Global Affairs Canada, GALS is a community-led empowerment methodology that uses the principle of inclusion to improve livelihood, nutrition, income, and ultimately the security of vulnerable people in a gender-equitable way.
"I used to think it was not manly to support my wife with unpaid care work at home. I really paused to think and I saw that it was unfair to leave all the housekeeping for her because she also keeps a paid employment like me - she is a healthcare worker. It's amazing how a little love and care, a helping hand here, a support there and talking issues through can change the atmosphere of the home," said Hamza.
"I have struggled to commence our house expansion project. Somehow, we saw that we were not maximising our resources effectively due to poor planning. Applying some of the principles we learned at the training, we were able to block loopholes where our resources were being wasted and we were able to take off the building of our home. As I speak, the construction of our new house is approaching lintel level and I have bought three plots of land so far for our children. I am hoping to round off the building soon, although the inflation rate in the country has been a big challenge" said Hamza.
“Our children are not left out in this new way of living. One of the things I am ensuring in the home is to teach our sons that domestic chores is gender blind - both males and females can carry out chores in the house to keep the family moving. My wife taught our 9-year-old son how to cook. He now tries his hands out with cooking, and he is doing well.
The biggest lesson I learned from the GALS training is that a family that build together, grows together. I am truly experiencing that in my home” Hamza added.