In the bustling district of Pikine, Senegal, something remarkable is happening. Men are gathering not for football matches or business dealings, but to have conversations that are transforming their communities from within. Welcome to the 'School of Husbands,' an innovative program that's reshaping how Senegalese men think about gender, family, and equality.

This isn't your typical classroom. Here, men feel safe to ask questions they've never dared voice in public—questions about women's rights, household responsibilities, reproductive health, and what true partnership in marriage really means. In a society where deeply rooted gender norms have prevailed for generations, these schools are creating a welcoming space for honest dialogue and personal growth.

The program's success has been nothing short of inspiring. With full endorsement from the Senegalese government and support from the United Nations, the initiative has already trained more than 300 men across 20 schools throughout the country. These aren't mandatory sessions imposed from above; they're voluntary gatherings where men choose to learn, reflect, and ultimately become champions for change in their own families and communities.

What makes this program particularly powerful is its approach. Rather than lecturing or shaming, the School of Husbands creates an environment of mutual respect and learning. Men discuss real-life scenarios, share their struggles with traditional expectations, and discover how gender equality benefits everyone—not just women, but men and children too. They're learning that being a supportive partner doesn't diminish their role; it enriches their relationships and strengthens their families.

The ripple effects are already visible. Graduates of these schools return to their communities with new perspectives, becoming role models for other men. They're more involved fathers, more supportive husbands, and advocates for their daughters' education and empowerment. Some have become informal ambassadors, bringing these conversations to their neighborhoods, workplaces, and social circles.

Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque visited one of these schools in Pikine and witnessed firsthand the transformation taking place. The enthusiasm and openness displayed by participants demonstrates that when given the right tools and safe spaces, people are eager to grow and challenge outdated norms.

This initiative represents a broader shift happening across Africa and the developing world, where engaging men and boys in gender equality conversations is recognized as essential for lasting social change. Senegal's approach shows that progress doesn't require confrontation—it requires conversation, education, and the courage to question what we've always accepted as normal.

As these schools continue to expand, they're not just changing individual men; they're planting seeds for generational transformation. The children growing up in households led by School of Husbands graduates will inherit a different model of family life—one built on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and genuine partnership.

This is what positive change looks like: grassroots, culturally sensitive, and ultimately transformative. Senegal's School of Husbands proves that even the most entrenched social norms can evolve when communities are ready to have difficult conversations with open hearts and minds.