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Organizations Working with Men and Boys Ruth Hayward, Sr. Advisor January 31, 2001 Direct to : Unicef- List of organisations More
and more organizations around the world emphasize and support the
role of men and boys as partners against gender violence and for
equal rights. In addition to benefits for women and girls from this
approach, there are benefits for men and boys, - and for families,
communities and development itself. More exchange of lessons learned
by organizations working with men and boys against gender violence
could strengthen the work of those involved, and stimulate the
creation of even more
such organizations. They have a vital role to play in eliminating
discrimination and violence against women and girls, as well as
freeing men and boys from the limits and risks of stereotypic
definitions for their own gender roles. This is so because the primary cause of gender-based violence is the unequal relationship between men and women based on stereotypes of the male as privileged and powerful, the female as inferior and submissive. Such stereotypes have been taught the world over to boys and girls from early childhood. All too many men, prompted by their sense of what is “masculine,” use violence and intimidation to keep women and girls “in their place” – a submissive one. They also seek to reaffirm their masculinity in many ways among their male peers. To end gender violence, then, it is necessary to challenge the very narrow stereotypes of masculinity and femininity wherever they are found and the related norms. In short, it will be necessary to socialize children for equality, ending discrimination by gender from the earliest age onwards, if gender based violence is to end and human rights are to be fulfilled. Parents, teachers, community leaders, policy makers, the media – all have a role to play. Empowerment
of girls and women is obviously an important part of the formula.
But it is both unjust and impractical to expect those who are
discriminated against to end the discrimination by themselves.
Working with men and boys to question
the idea and practice of “automatic”
male power and privilege, along with “female inferiority,” based
on gender definitions, is essential, but it is a newer idea. It will require a revolution in attitudes and behaviors as
well as in the nature of institutions.
Considering
this background, the Gender, Partnerships and Participation Section
of UNICEF Program Division (GPP/PD) started work in 2000 to identify
groups working with men and boys to stop various forms of violence
against women and girls, and to question the stereotypic gender
roles and relationships that lie behind such violence, along with
discrimination on the basis of gender. To date, some 60
organizations have been identified, in almost 28 countries, most in
the developing world, with at least one organization located in each
region. No doubt even more organizations and more countries can
be added after the list is circulated and more information
comes to light. Countries with groups listed to date are:
Bangladesh, Brazil, Bolivia, Cambodia, Canada, Czechoslovakia,
Denmark, Egypt, France, Gambia, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya,
Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines,
Senegal, South Africa, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom,
United States, and Zimbabwe. Information was gathered primarily from prominent groups and
experts working in the field, from searches and sites on the web,
and from colleagues in sister organizations. Groups without contact
details were not included. A
draft version was sent to all groups listed with a request for
comments or corrections, if any. Ruth Hayward, Senior Adviser,
Ending Violence against Women and Girls, was assisted in this
initiative by two UNICEF interns, Kumari Fernando and Imrana Khera. Aims The
aims of developing a list of groups working with men and boys in
programs that can help end violence against women and girls are: 1) to encourage stronger networks with exchange of lessons learned among
pioneering and courageous groups working with men and boys for equal
gender roles and relationships – without gender violence; 2) to stimulate the creation of yet more groups involving men and boys
against gender violence, whatever the entry point; and 3) to celebrate the courage of men and boys as well as women and girls
against gender Organization of List The
list below is organized according to three main entry points for
work with men and boys to prevent or remedy violence against women
and girls because of their gender. While it would have been possible
to place some groups working with men in more than one category,
because they work on several themes, each group was put into a
single category according to what seems to be its most prominent or
unique approach to involving men and boys against violence to women
and girls. Strictly
speaking, “gender violence” includes violence to men because of
their own gender roles and relationships, associated with higher
homicide rates, suicide rates, involvement in professions associated
with aggression, violence and physical risk. Such groups have not
been included in the list at this time, nor have groups which claim
that men suffer from more violence by women than women do from
violence by men, but they are being reviewed for a possible future
update. The
entry points used are: 1) Redefining
“Masculinities”
and Gender Relationships: 2) Calling on Men to End Violence against Women and Girls: 3) Working with Men in Professional Roles and Associations A brief summary is also
given about the work of selected UN organizations which currently
include or plan initiatives with men or boys against gender
violence. Re-defining “Masculinities” and Gender Relationships This
first main category is the most general and fundamental one.
Initiatives grouped in it tend to reflect a greater concern about
gender theory and analysis than the others do. They may or may not
explicitly mention ending violence as a concern, although their work
on redefining masculinities is crucial for that to happen. The list
includes some sponsors of significant events to re-examine
“masculinities,” meant to stimulate changes in social thought.
This approach helps to identify or create new norms and some male
solidarity around them, but it is not so likely to produce
short-term changes in male attitudes or behavior beyond a small
group, if that. Widespread publicity for new norms and for their
supporters – especially when these are influential men--can help
stimulate changes in attitudes and behavior. The development and
dissemination of advocacy materials about the need and benefits from
“new masculinities” is key for reaching wider audiences
than meetings alone can. It is still too early to know how effective
they will be. As the three sub-headings indicate, some of the groups
under the main heading take a general approach; their work is linked
with gender equality and human rights. A few focus on the father’s
role in bringing about a non-sexist future. There are also groups
that work towards shared power and decision-making for a couple’s
reproductive health and rights. Behavior change related to
reproductive health is their primary aim. They are also likely to
reduce gender-based violence. Focusing on Gender-based Violence Under
the second main category in the list below are groups that emphasize
the importance of direct actions by men or boys to end violence
against women and girls. The sub-headings distinguish groups with a
broad approach to violence against women and girls from those that
focus more on rape, including rehabilitation of perpetrators, or
take up the issue of female genital mutilation. All groups in this
section want action now. They may or may not also be concerned with
theory about gender roles and relationships, with human rights and
socialization. Overall,
most of the groups listed work with men as partners against gender
violence rather than as perpetrators to be rehabilitated. Taking Responsibility as Professionals The third and last main category used to present the groups working with men and boys against gender violence is one where groups involve or address men in relation to their profession. Some men – particularly those in the fields of law, health or education –become involved against gender-based violence in the course of their professional duties or as members of professional organizations. For example, many training courses about issues related to gender violence have been organized – often by women’s groups - for the judiciary, for police, for physicians. They would not necessarily have been drawn to the subject if it were not for their professional roles and responsibilities. And the courses may not “take,” or affect them in their private lives, even if they change their professional behavior. At the same time, many men involved are models of courage and commitment well beyond the call of duty. There are likely many more examples of groups that could be added in this general category because many women’s groups around the world include training courses for professional men on gender or about ending violence as only one in an array of programs and activities. Some Gaps
It appears that only a small minority of the groups
in the summary list below work with boys or male youth. Work with
parents or teachers on “masculinities,” gender equality, or
ending gender violence also seems to be relatively limited. These
gaps indicate important areas for groups that want to take
initiatives that will add effectively to the results of on-going
programs with men and boys against gender violence. It
has also proved difficult so far to identify groups working with men
and boys against gender violence in the Arabic speaking world other
than an example from Egypt.
What about partnerships with women’s groups that are
already striving for the empowerment of women and girls, the
fulfillment of their human rights and an end to gender based
violence? Of course there has been some concern that men’s groups
will divert scarce resources from such groups and their aims, also
that men will dominate discussions and activities if these are
joint. And it is natural that some women resist working with men
against gender-based violence given that men are its main
perpetrators. All the same, Beijing+5 has called for more
involvement of men as partners for equality and against gender
violence. The challenge
and opportunity are clear for work between men and women in a
revolution for equality, ending gender violence. |