Ruchy Jain
Though it has deep roots in societal institutions that affect and involve everyone, gender-based violence (GBV) is frequently presented as a problem that just affects women. Men’s involvement in maintaining or destroying patriarchy is highlighted in current talks, but the topic needs to go beyond recognizing privilege or encouraging allyship. A proactive approach is what’s lacking from the conversation: how can men stop GBV as leaders rather than just supporters? What fresh approaches might we look at to transition from involvement to change?
Moving Beyond Acknowledgment: Redefining Masculinity for Systemic Change
The majority of discussions about men’s roles in gender equality focus on acknowledging privilege and abstaining from harmful conduct. But we need to take it a step further: how can masculinity be transformed? The dominance and repression of vulnerability that characterize traditional masculinity must give way to something more comprehensive that embraces qualities like empathy, emotional intelligence, and group responsibility.
The Need for Systemic Redefinition
- Masculinity as a dynamic identity: Rather than being viewed as a fixed, inherited characteristic, masculinity should be viewed as something that is adaptive to social advancement.
- Transitioning from ‘protector’ to ‘partner’: A lot of men think that their function in gender equality is to “protect” women. This perpetuates an imbalance of power. Rather, males ought to be equal participants in making sure that everyone lives in a secure community.
- Promoting emotional fluency: By teaching boys and men that showing emotion and being vulnerable are assets rather than flaws, negative ideas of masculinity that fuel violence can be destroyed.
- Dismantling the notion of dominance: The deeply rooted belief that males ought to exercise authority over others is the root cause of many types of GBV. It is essential to challenge this narrative through community involvement and education.
Although the range of violence and its underlying causes are highlighted in current talks, a crucial component that is overlooked is the change in gender relations brought about by economic and technical advancements. Because of how the internet world has altered GBV, online harassment, cyberbullying, and digital exploitation are now serious issues. Men must take the initiative in this area and recognize their responsibility to combat gender-based harm on the internet.
Men’s Strategies in the Digital Age
- Addressing Digital GBV: Doxxing and non-consensual image sharing are two examples of new forms of violence made possible by social media. Men need to be aware of how they contribute to the continuation or cessation of these activities.
- Disrupting Online Echo Chambers: Negative views about women frequently arise in online forums. In environments where men predominate, men can be crucial in interrupting harmful dialogues.
- Promoting Positive Narratives: Men can actively encourage gender-equitable voices and tales in digital arenas rather than only denouncing inappropriate behavior.
- Holding Each Other Accountable: Men need to hold their peers responsible for aggressive, sexist, or misogynistic actions in both online and offline settings. It is complicity to remain silent in the face of injustice.
Transitioning from Passive Engagement to Active Leadership
Acknowledging one’s privilege or endorsing efforts to promote gender equality is just the beginning. In order to eradicate GBV, men must actively assume leadership responsibilities. This entails developing novel mechanisms that stop GBV before it starts as opposed to only responding to it.
Techniques for Engaging in Active Leadership
- Policy Advocacy: Men in corporate or legislative settings should advocate for laws that address both overt and covert forms of gender-based violence, such as wage inequality and workplace harassment.
- Education and Mentoring: Young men should be actively taught moral conduct, decency, and responsibility by senior male professionals.
- Economic Involvement: Economic opportunity and gender equality are closely related. Men in leadership roles can support women-owned enterprises, flexible work schedules, and equitable compensation.
- Establishing Safe Spaces for Open Discussion: Talking about gender equality with males in social, professional, and educational contexts can encourage introspection and change.
- Community Engagement Programs: Men ought to take the lead in and actively engage in campaigns that inform local communities about gender-based violence, its causes, and its remedies.
Conclusion: An Appeal for Creativity
More than just well-meaning intentions are needed to end GBV; creative thinking and action are needed. Men need to redefine masculinity itself, confront new threats like digital GBV, and go beyond allyship to active leadership. We cannot create a truly fair society where safety and dignity are not privileges but rather fundamental rights for everyone until we rethink gender roles and power dynamics.
This calls for a change in the way society views gender equality, treating it as a shared duty for a just world rather than as a favor to women. It’s time to oppose antiquated customs, back laws that will change society, and establish settings free from gender-based violence for coming generations.
About the contributor: Ruchy Jain is a fellow at EGBVF Ending Gender-based Violence Fellowship at IMPRI and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Design, from Sushant University, Gurugram. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Manchester, UK, and is a trained Madhubani artist.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
Read more at IMPRI:
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Acknowledgment: This article was posted by Bhaktiba Jadeja, visiting researcher and assistant editor at IMPRI.
