We talk about the manosphere as though it were some troublesome new arrival, born in the darker corners of the internet and carried into boys' lives through social media. I see it differently; while the technology may be new, much of the thinking has been with us for centuries.
Activism & Politics
Following another series of alleged killings of women across Australia, the country has once again found itself asking familiar questions. How many more women have to die before we act? What more should governments do? Why does this violence keep happening?
It is often easier to identify patriarchal structures in the institutions we oppose than the organisations we belong to. We challenge, critique and demand better from others but when similar patterns of concentrated power and decision making, rigid hierarchies and lack of accountability and transparency appear inside an organisation that campaigns against patriarchy, they can become surprisingly difficult to acknowledge and call it as it is.
There is a growing symphony of voices reminding us that violence and hate cannot be stopped with more violence and more hate. Cancel culture has taken a powerful hold on our society and we are seeing the damage of this perpetuation of harm. So, what other options do we have, and how can this inform efforts to engage and mobilize men?
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.