Gender Equality and Men

Goal: To work more effectively toward gender equality by incorporating men and boys into gender and development

work

Working with Men• is complementary to, and an enhancement of, the

empowerment of women

• the goal is to transform gender relations through critical examination of ‘masculinity’ in relation to the everyday behavior of men

• is about working with men in positions of power and authority, not simply with vulnerable boys and men

Gender Equitable Menare respectful in their relationships with women and other men; they seek relationships based on equality and intimacy

are or would be caring and involved fathers, and believe that fathers should share responsibilities for children with their partners

take some responsibility for reproductive health and disease prevention

are opposed to violence against women in their intimate relationships

believe in the importance and ability to engage in health-seeking behaviors

Men and HIV Prevention

Social factors that make women vulnerable to HIV include: lack of control over conditions under which they engage in sex; multiple sexual partners on the part of husbands; early age of marriage; sexual coersion and sexual violence

Men and HIV Prevention, con’t

As a result, working with men on HIV prevention requires them to explore how masculinity as a socially valued identity is related to the kinds of behaviours that put them and their sexual partners at risk

Working with Men

Stage One: Understand masculinities and how they both privilege and constrain the behaviors of boys and men

Working with Men

Stage Two: Understand why working with men and gender equality will improve people’s lives

Working with Men

Stage Three: Understand how to work with men, and which men

Working with Men

Stage Four: Implement and assess projects with men and boys

Exploring Masculinities

every culture consists of multiple masculinities

men’s gender identity is invisible

the importance of ‘hegemonic’ masculinity

key elements of masculinity include overt heterosexuality

masculinities are collective behaviors

masculinities are dynamic, changing

masculinities encourage negative behaviors

Engaging Men: Challengesmen’s lack of experience in talking about gender and gender issues

the lack of opportunities for men and boys to talk about gender and gender inequality

men’s lack of motivation to talk about personal aspects of their lives

men’s fear of talking about gender issues and engaging in gender activities

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men’s concern about how they will be perceived by their peers when they participate in gender work

work for women’s empowerment can be met with resistance from men, in some cases a violent backlash

resistance can take the form of calls for a return to ‘traditional family values’ in which men control wives and daughters (as well as sons)

Lessons: The Messagebegin with the positive and what is working, rather than approaching men with a negative message

emphasize the shared benefits for men an women of gender equality – emphasize positive outcomes for men and their partners (win-win scenarios)

language that conveys blame or opposition can put men on the defensive

ground discussion in men’s experiences and concerns

name activities ‘sharing, dialogue and learning’

Lessons: The Messengerencourage men to talk with other men

men working collaboratively as facilitators with equal voices and equal levels of participation sends an important message

identify individuals as role models who will have an influence on men (for example, senior men, mothers, community leaders, celebrities)

Lessons: Context and Delivery

create a comfortable environment

nurture ownership and be culturally appropriate; local men must be involved in both design and delivery of activities

good facilitation is necessary as gender issues may give rise to emotional responses

start in third person and move to first person in conversations with men on gender violence and sexual and reproductive health

build alliances with organizations already working with men

Conclusions:• change is a slow process; this applies to both personal and

societal change

• as in the case for women, men are not a monolithic group; their interests, needs and investments in traditional beliefs and behaviors vary

• start ‘where men are at’; emphasize the positive role that they can play in the health of their families and communities

• achieving gender equality cannot depend solely on small-scale project interventions; it requires changes in policy and law

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• our own practices reflect gender dynamics; assessment of these dynamics is the place to begin

• there is a need for research and assessment of activities and programs to engage men in gender equality projects in order to improve our efforts

• our work with men must contribute to the overall goal of promoting gender equality