Engaging Men for Effective Activism against Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Abstract
Men are becoming ever more visible as integral partners in tackling sexual
and gender-based violence (SGBV), holding themselves, peers and power-holders
accountable for maintaining harmful gender norms that perpetuate
violence. To maximise the potential of working with men to ensure inclusion,
and sustainability in the response to SGBV, the global programme on Effective
Organised Activism against Gender-based Violence highlights the importance
of addressing the underlying structural causes of violence. It calls for efforts
to address these challenges by applying gendered context and power analysis
in understanding and identifying barriers to address SGBV, engaging men in
prevention and response not just as ‘protectors’ of women, and building a
shared agenda between individuals, communities and networks involving men
and women. This approach not only enables a deeper understanding of the
complexities around SGBV, but provides important lessons to be shared.