The Men to Men Project: Men Against Gender-Based Violence Regional
Network Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a distressing reality effecting millions of women and girls in almost all societies around the world. Not only has it has been recognised as one of the 12 critical areas of concern by the Beijing PFA, but is also recognised as one of the key reasons for the rapid spread HIV/AIDS among women. The continuous violation of women’s basic human rights through GBV hinders not only their development, but also the progress of the communities and countries they live in. In Africa and in most parts of the world, the root cause of GBV is the unequal power relations that exist between females and males and the low status of women. Since (most) males are the beneficiaries of gender inequalities, they can also play critical roles in eliminating gender-based inequalities. The need to involve men in the gender equality movement in support for women's empowerment was first explicitly articulated in the Cairo Plan of Action on Population and Development. Since then, it has been recognised as a powerful strategy to enhance the participation of men in programmes and projects for gender equality. FEMNET’s involvement in the Men to Men Project started with a men to men consultation held in December 2001. The consultation brought together men from Kenya, Malawi, Namibia and South Africa, representing community organisations, human rights and legal groups, religious organisations, universities and the police. The Consultation culminated in the development of a plan of action, which specified some follow-up action at the regional and national levels. Participants committed themselves to take action and requested FEMNET to host the African Network of Men Against Gender Based Violence. On the basis of this recommendation and the proposed follow-up actions, FEMNET developed the Men to Men Project. The project is being implemented with partners from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa. The main objective of the Men to Men Project is to create a core of male supporters for the long-term campaign to eliminate GBV in Africa and thereby contribute to the goals of the Dakar and Beijing Platforms for Action. The specific objectives are to:
Men against Gender Based Violence The Men against Gender Based Violence Programme conducted a review of
existing men groups in Malawi, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Namibia.
FEMNET documented and hopes to share the experiences with other male
groups in the continent to encourage formation of more men groups and in
the process strengthen the Africa Network of Men for Gender Equality.
FEMNET will also share the experience with national, regional and global
networks, including the INSTRAW and UNIFEM networks. FEMNET launched the
Men to Men Initiative in 2001, to mark the Sixteen Days of Activism
Against Violence on Women. The FEMNET contribution to the campaign
targeted men, and marked the beginning of a partnership to promote and
increase male involvement and action to combat gender based violence at
the Africa regional level. |