Effectively involving men in preventing violence against women

Key messages

• Engaging boys and men to prevent violence against women can make a difference
• The main reasons for involving men in violence prevention are:
  - While most men do not use violence against women, when violence does occur it is largely perpetrated by men
  - Constructions of masculinity play a crucial role in shaping men’s violence against women
  - Men have a positive role to play in helping stop violence against women
• A ‘gender transformative’ approach involves challenging rigid gender roles and critically questioning what influences these. Programmes involving a ‘gender transformative’ approach are effective in changing men’s attitudes and behaviours related to violence against women.
• Other principles for engaging men include:
  - Positive messages ‘inviting’ rather than ‘indicting’ men can be more effective
  - There is diversity in how masculinities are constructed and expressed in different cultural contexts and social settings. Culturally-relevant material that acknowledges men’s social contexts and draws on their personal experiences is required
• Men can prevent violence to women by not personally engaging in violence, by challenging the violence of other men, and by addressing the root causes of violence
• There are local and international examples that can be built on to increase the involvement of men in this work

Recommended citation

Baker, G. (2013). Effectively involving men in preventing violence against women. Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse, University of Auckland.

ISSN: 2253-3222, published online only

Other Issues Papers

Read other Issues Papers