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.