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Identify appropriate places, times and venues to reach men and boys
� Venues and times when men congregate – such as sports events, religious
celebrations, in workplaces, and in bars and cafes – can be opportunities for
intervention.
� Identifying strategic communications venues that may reach large numbers of
boys and men – such as public service announcements during television
broadcasts of sports events or use of modern communications technologies
popular with boys and young men.
� Creating spaces where men can meet away from the „public gaze‟, in other
words, in locations where they will not have to be concerned how they are seen
or viewed, can also be important (Ruxton 2004).
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Help men to see what they may gain from becoming involved
Approaches can include:
� Helping men and boys understand the negative impacts of traditional ideas of
masculinity in their lives and in the lives of the women and children they care
about.
� Helping men and boys understand how they may benefit from sharing power with
girls and women, for instance, by having more intimate relationships with their
partners (Esplen 2006).
� Helping men and boys understand the harm, pressure and stress that traditional
gender norms places on themselves and that participation may allow them to be
more secure in their identity and feel freer.
� Helping men and boys understand that there are opportunities for collective
solidarity to reject and rethink the norms that create pressures (e.g. coercive sex,
arranged or forced marriage, etc.).
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Work with men and boys to develop their emotional life and caring
Interventions should help men and boys develop their emotional lives by:
� Creating safe spaces where men can learn to think and speak openly about their
feelings and lives;
� Helping men seek non-violent alternatives and emotional support for the triggers
of their violent behaviour (e.g. unemployment or feelings of emasculation);
� Teaching nurturing skills to boys and prospective fathers, such as empathy and
compassion; and
� Teaching conflict resolution skills that require emotional awareness (Kaufman
2003).
Men and Boys Knowledge Module January 2012 18