01.01.2022
Engaging men and boys in the fight against gender-based violence
problem & solution
Women are victimised by inequalities, violence and exclusion caused by machismo in Mozambique. Gender based violence (GBV) is still a wide-spread issue and traditional gender roles are limiting women to unpaid care work and household chores. Thus, their voice is severely under-represented.
The solution was to involve men and boys in the fight against gender-based violence: LeMuSiCa's girls groups also involve men and boys to sensitise them from an early age for gender equality and human rights and at the same time, they become aware of the fact that there is still a lot of discrimination against women.
the experience
LeMuSiCa is a Women's Organisation for Women, Girls and Children with the aim of contributing to improving the living conditions of women, children and youth affected by violence, discrimination and HIV/AIDS as well as fighting for women's rights and combating GBV.
LeMuSiCa first worked with women exclusively, but soon realised that change requires men's involvement. They experimented and came to realise that men are needed to achieve the goal of an equal society, where everybody has the same rights regardless of their gender, origin, race, religion, class etc.
Challenges
- Due to strong cultural patriarchal traditions, behavioural as well as institutional structures are hard to de- and reconstruct.
- It is also a challenge for many partners to break up a toxic relationship where they suffer from GBV.
Impact
- At community level people were more open to changing their behaviour.
- The dissemination of the act covered more communities and significantly reduced the number of GBV.
Lessons Learned
- Involve all social classes, since GBV and discrimination can affect anyone. Awareness of women's rights and reporting violence can help.
- Inform and sensitise men and boys from an early age in the fight against GBV for a more equal society.
