Why a men to men strategy?

• Author: Wainaina, Njoki
• Position: Men working for women's rights

The strategy of involving men in the campaign for the elimination of violence against women has been tried in several countries in the Africa region. In 1997 and 1998, male marches in support of the annual campaign were carried out in South Africa and Kenya respectively. In Malawi, the Network Against Gender Based Violence, which groups together a number of male-dominated agencies dealing with issues of gender based violence, including the police, judiciary, prisons, human rights NGOs and others, has witnessed commitment and willingness by men to join the campaign. Similar groups of men against violence on women have been formed in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. The presence of committed men in the struggle to combat gender based violence is gradually creating new voices, especially addressing other men and confronting them to rethink their behaviour and attitudes as well as tackling critical issues about masculinity and male responsibility.

The men to men approach is based on the premise that, like women and other interest groups, men are able to group and pursue together issues and concerns of mutual interest. Men as husbands, sons, fathers, brothers, responsible citizens, leaders and equal partners with women have a role to play in ensuring protection and prevention of gender based violence.

At the household level, men continue to be in control of values, resources, opportunities and decision-making. Whilst efforts on ending VAW are targeted at women, greater awareness creation, understanding and changes in attitude and behaviour should also be targeted at men.

At the community level men remain in the majority with respect to control of communal resources, knowledge and leadership and other positions of power. These include local chiefs, headmen, headmasters, veterinary service officers, agriculture extension workers, chairperson of political party, head of the police station, or religious leaders whilst women are the majority as traditional birth attendance.

At the national level, the statistics are telling. The number of women in parliament, women judges, women police commissioners, women cabinet ministers and women chairpersons of boards or head of other specialised agencies are as Women remain in the minority. With this law status, their vulnerability to various forms, types and magnitude of violence increases.

Therefore, men should be central to efforts related to the elimination of violence. With awareness, sensitivity and...