Editorial.

• Position: Editorial

The men have one thing in common; they are all committed to the struggle for gender equality in Africa and are also part of a regional network of Men against Gender Based Violence. These men, from Malawi, Kenya, South Africa and Namibia came together during the sixteen days of activism against gender based violence to debate issues of masculinity and violence against, women and devise strategies to influence other men to change.

The debate on the role of men in combating violence against women has gained momentum in the period since the Beijing Conference. The issue gained even higher profile as it was chosen as a priority for action in many countries in the Africa Region. Over the last ten years, in which FEMNET pioneered the development of the gender and development approach, it has become increasingly evident that all gender issues are cross-cutting. Studies on violence on women and girls have shown that it heavily impacts on the achievements of the goals of education, health, economic empowerment, social status, human dignity, security and peace. Violence against women and girls is therefore a key obstacle to the achievement of the goals of equality, development and peace.

Michael Kaufman the Director of the International White Ribbon Campaign sums the problem this way: "If it were between countries, we'd call it a war. If it were a disease, we'd call it an epidemic. If it were an oil spill, we'd call it a disaster. But it is happening to women, and it's just an everyday affair. It is violence against women. It is sexual harassment at work and sexual abuse of the young. It is the beating or the blow that millions of women suffer each and every day. It is rape at home or on a date. It is murder."

"There's no secret enemy pulling the trigger, no unseen virus that leads to death. It is only men. Not all men, but far too many men. In some countries, most men will never be violent against a woman; in others, the majority of men take it as their birthright to do what they want, when they want, to women.

The evidence that men are the key perpetrators of violence on women and girls is readily found even in the most basic fact finding events. Experiences in the African region have pointed to the need to challenge systems of oppression and abusive behaviour. This includes supporting men and boys to recognise their roles and responsibilities in combating violence on women and girls and creating a new society where any form of oppression and...