Engaging men in Gender Equality: Positive Strategies and Approaches
Publisher: Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
Date Published: 2006
Languages: English
The toolkit addresses the resistance to involving men in gender and development work, advocating for a shift from WID to GAD approaches. It discusses the impact of gender norms on men and explores strategies for change, including engaging men as partners against GBV and strengthening men's resistance to violence and conflict.
Main Contribution
1.3.1: Men as Partners against Gender-Based Violence 6
1.3.2: Strengthening Men’s Resistance to Violence and Conflict 8
1.3.3: Fostering Constructive Male Involvement in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
101.3.4: Encouraging Men’s Positive Engagement as Fathers and Carers 121.3.5: Promoting More Gender-Equitable Institutional Cultures and Practices within Development Organisations
The toolkit focuses on the importance of involving men in gender and development work, addressing resistance from some women and men. It emphasizes the need to shift from Women in Development (WID) to Gender and Development (GAD) approaches, considering the socially constructed relations between women and men.
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The toolkit is relevant for individuals engaged in gender and development work, encouraging a shift from exclusive focus on women to a more inclusive approach that involves men. It advocates for the engagement of men as allies in achieving gender equality.
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The toolkit provides insights into the motivations for involving men in gender and development work and offers practical strategies for promoting gender equality. It encourages the use of positive and relevant messages to engage men as allies and addresses their specific concerns.
GBV Prevention
The document highlights that involving men is crucial to challenging gender-based violence (GBV). It argues that efforts solely focused on women may not effectively address GBV and emphasizes the benefits of engaging men in rejecting violence.
Creating Normative Change
The toolkit emphasizes the need for a conceptual shift from WID to GAD, focusing on the socially constructed relations between women and men. It calls for recognizing men's vulnerability and powerlessness in certain situations and advocates for a broader understanding of gendered power dynamics.
How it could be adapted to the communities
The document suggests that initiatives need to engage men as allies, using positive and relevant messages that address their specific concerns. Strategies should highlight the costs of gender inequality and the benefits of gender equality, making programs adaptable to diverse cultural contexts.
Keywords
Gender Norms, Dominant Masculinities, Men's Vulnerability, Power Dynamics, Alternative Masculinities, Engaging Men, Creating Normative Change
