Why Male Involvement in Eliminating Violence Against Women?

1. Why Male Involvement in Eliminating Violence Against Women? Presented @ 2-Day Workshop on Male Involvement in Eliminating Violence Against Women, Marian Hotel , Calabar, May 26-27, 2008

2. Why Involve Men/Boys? • It is important that in addressing a multi-dimensional problem, such as violence against women, that several strategies are employed. • While It is important that women and young girls who are often the victims of gender-based violence are sensitized, and given various forms of support services, it is also important that the root cause of the issue is addressed through a closer look at the roles and responsibilities of boys and men.

3. 10 Top Reasons for Male Involvement • Many women want men to step up and take a stand against violence. • Most men do not agree with men’s violence, yet they do nothing to challenge or stop it – these men need to be mobilized to prevent violence. • Some men are already working to prevent violence but lack support; many more would like to get involved, but don’t know how

4. 10 Top Reasons Cont’d • Men commit most of the violence against women. So it is up to them to stop it – take responsibility. • Men are not born violent. They learn violence and become violent because of beliefs and norms about what it is to be a man. Work with men and boys can change those beliefs and norms and support men in rejecting violence.

5. 10 Top Reasons Cont’d • Men have the potential to stop violence. Not only can they choose to not perpetrate acts of violence, they can choose to challenge the attitudes and assumptions that support gender-based violence. • Gender-based violence has continued despite years of anti-violence work, The missing piece is effective violence prevention work with men.

6. 10 Top Reasons Cont’d • Men experience violence too – many are survivors from childhood but very few get the support they need to heal them of their experiences. • Men and boys listen to their peers – we need to mobilize men and boys to spread the violence prevention message in their families, workplaces and communities. • Decision makers and opinion leaders are mostly men. We need to work with them to get the political, financial, and moral support necessary to prevent gender-based violence.