There is now a field of programming and policy focused on ‘engaging men and boys’. This involves efforts self-consciously aimed at men or boys and addressing their involvements in gender in some way, and can be termed the ‘engaging men and boys’ field (Greig & Flood, 2020). The last decade has seen significant growth in this field. Programs and initiatives focused on men and boys have proliferated at local, national, and international levels.
Working with Boys and Men
On the eve of International Women’s Day, I began to hear once again the familiar sounds of CEOs and politicians responding to the calls for action in tackling gender inequality in Australian workplaces, with the following familiar catch phrases, “There’s more to do…. We must do more …..We have a long way to go….Everyone needs to play a role here… We need to work together……We have to ensure that all women have….. It’s the right thing to do…” It appears to be a reoccurring theme. Well, that’s what I wrote in 2016.
This discussion guide is for organizations working with men and boys that are addressing the prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG) or are interested in beginning work in this area. The 11-page guide provides examples of approaches to developing gender-transformative messaging that organizations can refer to and utilise in their work.
As we brace for the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency, many of us feel an unsettling déjà vu. The memory of policies, judicial appointments, and a political climate that emboldened racism, transphobia, book bans, and carceral violence hangs heavy. Across the globe, these patterns have sown division and deepened inequality.
This paper provides a critical assessment of efforts to involve men in the prevention of men’s violence against women. Although there is a substantial evidence base attesting to the effectiveness of at least some strategies and interventions, this field is also limited in important ways. Violence prevention efforts often have focused on changing men’s attitudes, rather than also seeking to transform structural and institutional inequalities.
This short brief describes how rigid gender norms wreak havoc on all members of society and presents evidence indicating that the outcomes are better for everyone in societies with more flexible and adaptable gender norms. Seeing men as co-beneficiaries and stakeholders in the fight for gender and social equality, the document present a series of recommendations to engage men and boys as part of gender-transformative strategies.
Download the brief in PDF here.
How can boys and men be encouraged to respond critically to the anti-women ideologies of the manosphere, the network of websites, blogs, and online forums promoting sexism and opposition to feminism? This page highlights key resources for engaging men and boys.
Curricula, programs, and resources:
Based on a literature review and interviews with key stakeholders, this technical brief synthesizes current research into how masculinities and disabilities intersect in conflict and post-conflict settings. It outlines evidenced-based strategies for meaningful engagement with men and boys and sheds light on how to equip them with the skills they need to play a role in peaceful societies that are both gender- and disability-inclusive.
Download the technical brief here.
The APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men were developed by the American Psychological Association (APA) to assist psychologists and others in providing effective and culturally sensitive care to boys and men across diverse backgrounds. The guidelines were released in 2018.
There is widespread recognition that preventing violence against women and girls requires working with men and boys as allies, partners and activists. The Regional Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women and UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO) have developed a set of principles and best practices that allow for that while still ensuring accountability to Pacific women and girls.