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       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:

  • mobilise, sensitise and involve male gender activists and advocates in Africa in the campaign to combat GBV;
  • develop a long-term program for male advocacy for gender equality, building on the FEMNET gender training program experience and the new experience working with men on GBV; 
  • develop and use the FEMNET advocacy and communication program to support GBV efforts in participating countries, with FEMNET national focal points to ensure increased awareness and action to eliminate GBV in the region.
  • in partnership with the Men to Men Project, create a critical mass of men who support the empowerment of women and the principles of gender equality, development and human rights from universities, religious organisations, professional groups, schools and the media. 
  • equip men with the concepts, knowledge and skills for gender sensitisation and advocacy in order to transform their own attitudes, behaviours and influence among their peers and their communities; 
  • develop relevant material, methodologies and modules to support male advocates and their groups in their efforts to promote gender equality in homes, communities, and workplaces.


In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives FEMNET is involved in:

  • the creation of a Regional Network of Men Against GBV, which will be nurtured by FEMNET until it gains identity and autonomy;
  • the provision of support to members of the Regional Network in organising activities within their organisations, communities and with the media;
  • the allocation of space in FEMNET publications for sharing the regional Men against Gender-Based Violence network news and reports;
  • the sharing of the African Men against GBV experience with global networks, including the INSTRAW and UNIFEM networks; 
  • holding of regional conferences to bring the men groups together to create a critical mass of supporters and expand the program into new areas; 
  • designing a media outreach program to disseminate men to men messages and discuss critical manhood and masculinity issues to change male behaviour and promote gender equality;
  • developing training manuals for gender sensitisation, gender based violence and advocacy for the Regional Network.

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.
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