Welcome to XY online

Nearly one in two women has experienced domestic violence (DV) in her lifetime, yet accountability remains elusive: Nearly half of survivors never report their abuse to law enforcement, often out of fear of retaliation. Many minimize the harm or shield their abuser’s behavior, telling themselves, “That’s just how men are,” or “He didn’t mean it.”

From Reflection to Action is a practical, evidence-based toolkit that helps organisations, practitioners, researchers and policymakers design gender-transformative programmes that engage men and boys – first as participants, and then as accountable allies in advancing gender equality.

The manosphere contributes to violence against women by men both within and outside the manosphere. The manosphere is a diverse online ecosystem of anti-feminist and male supremacist communities, influencers, and platforms.

It is easy to look at the ‘manosphere’ as a faraway land, one where a few unfortunate men have ended up in a bid for fame and fortune on Instagram and TikTok. ‘Not all men’ – and definitely not the men we know, hang out with, are related to, work with or hire. 

The manosphere - a diverse ecosystem of anti-feminist and male supremacist online communities, influencers, and platforms - has emerged over the past decade as a significant site of gendered harm. From men’s rights activist (MRA) networks and incel forums to “red pill” influencers and anti-feminist social media channels, these online environments shape how some men and boys understand masculinity, relationships, and gender relations.

We are a group of organisations that are committed to bridging work to address both violence against women and girls (VAWG) and men and boys’ wellbeing.

Chapter 1: Where the Journey Begins: Why the Observatory Was Born?

Amidst the backlash against gender equality and progressive social change, we often talk about the need to not just call men out, but also to call them in. But how do we do that?