Introduction 

Gender-based Violence is highly recognised as a violation of basic human rights and also a crucial dimension of wider gender inequality and gendered power relations across societies in the world (UN Women, 2018). Similarly, violence against women and girls (VAWG) is acknowledged not only from a human rights perspective but also from economic, and health perspectives (UN Women, 2019).

Men’s use of violence against women is widespread globally, both at home and in public spaces, and it takes all forms: physical, sexual, emotional, and economic (UBOS, 2016). Intimate partners or current or previous husbands commit the majority of acts of violence against women. Intimate partner abuse has affected more than 640 million women who are 15 or older (26 per cent of women aged 15 and older) (WHO, 2021).  Similarly,  in 2018, 13% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 reported having suffered physical or sexual abuse from a spouse or intimate partner in the previous year (ibid). 

An estimated 736 million women worldwide—nearly one in three—have experienced physical or sexual assault by a romantic partner, non-partner sexual assault, or both at some point in their lives (30 per cent of women aged 15 and older). Globally, low- and lower-middle-income nations are disproportionately affected by violence against women. Thirty-seven per cent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 who reside in nations deemed to be among the “least developed” under the Sustainable Development Goals had experienced physical or sexual intimate partner abuse at some point in their lives. In “the least developed countries,” 22% of women reported experiencing intimate partner violence in the previous year, which is significantly higher than the global average of 13% (WHO, 2021). 

However, the involvement of men and boys in violence prevention programs remains peripheral, ad hoc, and not comprehensive. For instance, for the past years, men have been addressed in secondary- and tertiary-based interventions as perpetrators in violence prevention interventions (Flood, 2005-2006). Yet, involving men and boys directly in processes that prevent and/or respond to gender-based violence (GBV) is an integral part of changing the power dynamics of existing gender roles, norms, and values that perpetuate GBV (Flood, 2019). 

Why work with men?

Over the past years, several UN meetings and statements have pronounced the need to engage and work with men and boys to achieve gender equality and end all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere. Some of these statements include the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) (UNPF, 1994) and the recommendation of the 48th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) (UN, 2004).  The ICPD Programme of Action recognises men and boys as allies and not “obstacles” to the achievement of gender equality. 

The key elements that emphasise the need to work with men to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) to achieve gender equality are summarised in Figure 1. 

Men are usually the principal perpetrators of VAWG: One of the important reasons to work with men to end VAWG is because men are the principal perpetrators of VAWG, albeit a small percentage being victims (Flood, 2019, UBOS, 2016; WHO, 2021). For instance, in Uganda, where I live, it is estimated that 56% of women experience physical violence by the age of 15 years, while 28% of women aged 15-49 have ever experienced sexual violence (UBOS, 2016).3 In particular, more than half of ever-married women have experienced spousal abuse: either sexual, physical or emotional abuse by their current or most recent partners/ spouse, with 39% of them having sustained various forms of injuries due to arm twisting, hair-pulling, dragged on the ground, beating, kicked in the abdomen, and threatened to be attacked with weapons such as knife and gun (UBOS, 2016). This, therefore, provides the impetus to consider the role of men—with a focus on the perpetrator’s attitudes, behaviours, identities, and relations if we intend to eliminate VAWG (Flood, 2019).   

The construction of masculinity, which shapes violence at various levels: Another key reason is the construction of masculinity, particularly “toxic” masculinity, which shapes men’s ideologies and behaviours about violence at various levels: the individual level, in families and relationships, in communities, and societies (Flood, 2019; Greig, 2017). In most societies, boys are taught and/ or learn about patriarchal or harmful/ toxic masculinities, including the superiority of masculinity over femininity; greater privileges and freedom for boys compared to girls; men’s dominance over women; and mixed messages from media and peers about masculinities including what a “real man” is and expected behaviours, which create harm and reinforce inequalities (Greig, 2017). 

While this is a complex male socialisation process, it emphasises that men’s VAWG are rooted in patriarchal masculinity and importantly, reflects men’s “power over” women and girls (Greig, 2017). Several studies ​​suggest that some of the strongest factors, across the middle- and low-income countries, influencing men’s use of violence against intimate partners were norms around male dominance, including male economic and decision-making dominance within the household and male control over female behaviours  (Heise, 2012; Heise, 2006).  

In regard to the above, working with men helps to create a conducive space to confront patriarchal notions of being male – the root cause of gender inequality. It also helps to promote behavioural change in men and boys through the identification and promotion of positive masculinities. The promotion of positive masculinity helps men to deconstruct the ideologies that cause gender inequalities and maintain VAWG (Greig, 2017). Notably, it helps to transform social norms and empower men to change negative behaviours by modelling alternative attitudes and behaviours (positive masculinity) instead of toxic masculinities (ibid) 

Men’s positive roles in ending VAWG and the related benefits are another element that provides that impetus to engage men to end VAWG. According to Food (2019), violence prevention interventions, which require men’s active involvement, reflect men’s concerns with the negative impact of violence as well as related benefits that accrue to men. Thus, despite the “patriarchal dividend” from gendered structures of inequality accruing to men (Connell, 1995), reducing the prevalence and impacts of men’s VAWG also benefits men. Some of these benefits include personal well-being; a reduced number of men in prison; improved mental health and psychological well-being; and relational interests (Connell, 2003).

VAWG prevention with men and boys as men’s and social justice issue: Violence against women and girls has long been considered a women’s issue. However, this is not the case- it’s a crucial dimension of wider gender inequality (UN Women, 2019). Accordingly, working with men makes GBV a societal, not just a women’s issue- hence, creating an opportunity to address the behaviours that lead to violence.

Figure 1: Elements of the rationale for working with men to end violence against women and girls, importance and effective approaches 

Source: Developed by the author with insights from Flood, 2019; Greig, 2017

To that end, it is important to use a comprehensive package of strategies that helps them to unlearn and be empowered with the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour necessary to ensure gender equality and respect for the rights of women and girls.

There are several shreds of evidence to show the effectiveness and value of working with men to end VAWG as well as to ensure their accountability for gender equality. This has been possible through various levels, programmes and through the use of social norm marketing and men as Change Agents, substantial behavioural changes. For instance, male engagement has led to the unlearning of gender inequalities attitudes, advanced gender equality, change in attitudes and behaviours regarding violence, and improved health-seeking behaviour in Angola and South Africa (USAID, 2013).  The UN Women, through the HeforShe Initiative, has also worked with men to ensure male accountability for gender equality. As a result, the UN Women in Rwanda has educated and engaged about 3,000 local leaders to fight gender-based violence, while more than 700 students and teachers are educating to transform attitudes in 63 schools across Fiji (UN Women, 2020). 

Best practices and lessons learned for male engagement

At the 48th Session of the CSW,  governments from around the world made a formal commitment to adopt and implement several context-specific interventions and/ or actions to involve men and boys towards the achievement of gender equality. Some of the best practices (Pulerwitz et al., 2019) to consider include: 

A. Start early in the life course

1. Ensure young boys and men have access to Role Models and/ or a Change Agent who endorses equitable gender norms- positive masculinity and models transformative behaviours.
2. Start building equitable and transformative gender norms in young boys to promote positive masculinity, respect for women and girls’ rights and healthier decision-making later in life.  

B. Seek to understand and transform harmful gender relations and norms that cause gender inequalities and maintain VAWG

1. 1. 1. Acknowledge that some common gender norms and dynamics are harmful.
      2. Engage with men in communities as allies and powerful entry points for the transformation of gender relations and norms.

C. It’s equally important not to start with the assumption that all men are bad actors

1. It is counter-productive to hold negative assumptions about men as a group, even though men who engage in harmful behaviours like partner violence must be held accountable.
2. Find and amplify the voices of men who support gender equity and those who are positively changing.
3. Engage men and boys in recognising how restrictive masculine norms negatively affect their health and well-being, as well as that of partners, children, and families—and how moving away from these norms can benefit everyone.

D. Engage men on their own and in groups of men and together with women

1. Seek to build skills around positive communication and shared decision-making among genders within couples and families in all program activities
2. Avoid ONLY engaging men in male-only spaces, which can reinforce inequitable gender norms. Ensure opportunities for men and boys to engage in dialogue that includes women and girls.
3. Consider implementing male-only groups as spaces for men to consider harmful gender norms and the benefits of change, as well as to freely discuss sensitive topics, express worries, practice healthy communication, and seek advice. 

E. Gather evidence for and with men and boys 

1. Use evidence from reliable sources to help men understand and know the negative implications of VAWG.
2. Encourage men and boys to share evidence and/ or observations of the negative impacts of VAWG as well as happy homes, communities, and workplaces.

Conclusion

In the words of Ban Ki-moon (the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations),  “Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls, and boys. It is everyone’s responsibility”. Accordingly, as the world seeks to work towards achieving sustainable development goals, particularly Goal 5, Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere, it is essential to work with men and boys.

References

Connell, R. W. (1995). Masculinities. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. http://lulfmi.lv/files/2020/Connell_Masculinities.pdf

Connell, R. W.  (2003). The Role of Men and Boys in Achieving Gender Equality: Report of the Export Group Meeting, ‘the Role of Men and Boys in Achieving Gender Equality’. Brazil: DAW in Collaboration with ILO and UNAIDS. https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/egm/men-boys2003/Connell-bp.pdf

Flood, M. (2019). Why Engage Men and Boys in Prevention?. In: Engaging Men and Boys in Violence Prevention. Global Masculinities. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-44208-6_4

Flood, M. (2022). Sexual Violence Prevention with Men and Boys as a Social Justice Issue. In Engaging Boys and Men in Sexual Assault Prevention: Theory, Research and Practice, Eds L. M. Orchowski and A. Berkowitz. Elsevier (pp. 49-70). https://xyonline.net/sites/xyonline.net/files/2023-01/Flood%2C%20Sexual%20Violence%20Prevention%20with%20Men%20and%20Boys%20as%20a%20Social%20Justice%20Issue%202022.pdf

Flood, M. (2005–2006). Changing Men: Best Practice in Sexual Violence Education. Women Against Violence: An Australian Feminist Journal, 18, 26–36. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/103395/1/__qut.edu.au_Documents_StaffHome_StaffGroupR%24_rogersjm_Desktop_Flood%2C%20Changing%20men.pdf 

Government of Uganda and World Bank (2020). Gender-based Violence and Violence Against Children Prevention and Response Services in Uganda’s Refugee-Hosting Districts. Washington, DC: World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/34494 

Heise, Lori L; (2012) Determinants of partner violence in low and middle-income countries: exploring variation in individual and population-level risk. PhD thesis, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17037/PUBS.00682451  

Heise, L. (2006). Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence: Exploring Variation in Individual and Population Level Risk—Upgrading Document. London: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

UBOS (2016) Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, 2016. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR333/FR333.pdf 

UNPF. (1994). International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5–13 September 1994. (https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Programme_of_action_Web ENGLISH.pdf

UN Women. (2018). Facts and figures: Ending violence against women. Available at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures 

UN Women (2019). Global Database on Violence Against Women & Girls. Available at https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=viloence+against+women+and+girls+un+women+uganda&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 

UN (2004). Commission on the Status of Women. The forty-eighth session, 1-12 March 2004. The role of men and boys in achieving gender equality. Agreed conclusions (Issue, March). https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/csw48/ac-men-auv.pdf

Greig, Alan. 2017. Self-Learning Booklet: Understanding Masculinities and Violence Against Women and Girls. Edited by and Khamsavath Chanthavysouk Dina Deligiorgis, Oswaldo Montoya, Henri Myrttinen, Adriana Quinones, Franz Wong. UN Women. New York, NY: UN Women. https://trainingcentre.unwomen.org/RESOURCES_LIBRARY/Resources_Centre/masculinities booklet .pdf

World Health Organization, on behalf of the United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group on Violence Against Women Estimation and Data (2021). Violence against women prevalence estimates, 2018. Global, regional and national prevalence estimates for intimate partner violence against women and global and regional prevalence estimates for non-partner sexual violence against women.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (2019). Sexual And Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Prevention, Risk Mitigation and Responses: Promising Practices. Available at: https://www.unhcr.org/5ec7c1084.pdf

Pulerwitz, A. Gottert, M. Betron, and D. Shattuck on behalf of the Male Engagement Task Force, USAID Inter-agency Gender Working Group (IGWG). 2019. “Do’s and don’ts for engaging men & boys.” Washington, D.C.: IGWG. https://www.igwg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Male-Engagement-DosDonts-Final-ENGLISH.pdf