Some Organizations Working with Men and Boys - May 31 2001

More and more organizations around the world emphasize and support the role of men and boys as partners against gender violence and in favour of equal rights. This approach provides benefits not only for women and girls, but also for men and boys - for families, communities and development itself. A broader exchange of lessons learned by organizations working with men and boys against gender violence could strengthen the work of those involved, and lead to 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 because the primary cause of gender-based violence lies in 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 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. 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 also a newer idea. It will require a revolution in attitudes and behaviours as well as in the nature of institutions.

Considering this background, the Gender, Partnerships and Participation Section of UNICEF Programme 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, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, the Gambia, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, the 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. Ruth Hayward, Senior Adviser, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, was assisted in this initiative by three UNICEF interns, Kumari Fernando, Imrana Khera and Allyson Wainer.

Aims

The aims of developing a list of groups working with men and boys in programmes that can help end violence against women and girls are:

• to encourage stronger networks with an exchange of lessons learned among pioneering and courageous groups working with men and boys for equal gender roles and relationships - without gender violence;
• to stimulate the creation of yet more groups involving men and boys against gender- violence, whatever the entry point;
• to celebrate the courage of men and boys as well as women and girls against gender based violence.
  

Towards these ends, please send information about additional organizations, including your own activities - and successes, to: rhayward@unicef.org so that it may be added to a future update. Your comments on the usefulness of this list will also be appreciated.

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 utilize 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 which men experience because of their own gender roles and relationships, associated with higher homicide rates, suicide rates, and involvement in professions associated with aggression, violence and physical risk. Groups which focus on this theme have not been included in the list at this time.

The entry points used are:

• Redefining "masculinities" and gender relationships:
  A broad concern for equality and human rights
  
  Towards responsible and non-sexist fatherhood
  
  For reproductive health
  
• Calling on men to end violence against women and girls:
  Violence in general
  
  Rape: prevention and rehabilitation
  
  Female genital mutilation
  
• Working with men in professional roles and associations

A brief summary is also given about the work of selected UN organizations that currently include or plan initiatives with men or boys against gender violence.

Redefining "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 do the others. 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 behaviour 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 behaviour. The development and dissemination of advocacy materials about the need and benefits from "new masculinities" makes it possible to reach wider audiences than can be contacted by meetings alone. 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 couples' reproductive health and rights. Behaviour 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 these groups 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. Their involvement is associated with their professional roles and responsibilities. And the courses may not "take," or affect them in their private lives, even if they change their professional behaviour. At the same time, many men involved are models of courage and commitment well beyond the call of duty. There are probably many more examples of groups that could be added to this 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 programmes and activities.

Some gaps

It appears that only a small minority of the groups in the summary list below work with boys or male youths. 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 make an effective contribution to the results of on-going programmes 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 one example from Egypt.

What about partnerships with women's groups that are already striving for the empowerment of women and girls, the fulfilment of their human rights and an end to gender-based violence? There has been some concern that men's groups will divert scarce resources from such groups and their aims, and 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. Nevertheless, Beijing+5 has called for more involvement of men as partners for equality and against gender violence. The challenge and opportunity are before us for work between men and women in a revolution for equality, to end gender violence.

Click here to continue with descriptions of organisations