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INTRODUCTION AND KEY POINTS
Why work with men and boys to prevent violence against women and girls?
� Violence against women and girls is rooted in widely-accepted gender norms
about men‟s authority and use of violence to exert control over women. As half
the world‟s population, effective interventions must engage men in order to
address the underlying discriminatory social norms that legitimize male power,
control and use of violence (Dunkle and Jewkes 2007).
o Men and boys who adhere to more rigid views about gender roles and
masculinity (such as believing that men need sex more than women do or
that men should dominate women, including sexually) are more likely to
report having used violence against a partner among other negative
outcomes (Courtenay 1998, Pulerwitz and Barker 2008). While studies
available and their findings at times vary in different settings, some
researchers have found that ideas of male privilege and control have been
identified among the top factors predicting the perpetration of violence
against women (Jewkes 2002).
o The social expectations of what men and boys (and women and girls)
should and should not do place both women and men at risk of negative
outcomes, including violence, sexually transmitted infections and HIV
(WHO 2007), as well as grave consequences for women‟s sexual and
reproductive health in particular (e.g. unwanted and forced pregnancies),
among many others.
� The primary perpetrators of violence against women and girls are men. As such,
prevention efforts must engage them (Flood 2008). Many men in society, if
provided with information and sensitization about the issue, represent untapped
but potentially influential allies in the struggle to end violence against women,
within their families, communities and decision-making circles.
o Men tend to have less knowledge and awareness of the magnitude of
violence against women and girls. For example, in Spain, research
showed that only 1.2 per cent of men were aware that violence against
women and girls was a serious problem (Lorente, Global Symposium
2009).
� Men continue to hold the majority of powerful and influential positions in law,
politics, finance, the justice and security sectors, business and the media. They
determine policy and legislative priorities, as well as public budgets. In many
countries, the frontline institutions charged with responding to violence against
women, are male-dominated (e.g. the police, health and legal professions, the
judiciary, etc.).
� Men are increasingly getting involved and have positive roles to play in
addressing violence against women and girls. Men are publicly challenging the
beliefs, values and social norms that condone gender inequality and violence;
and are encouraging alternative ideas of manhood among their peers and in
society that favour non-violence and justice between the sexes (Flood 2008). The
Men and Boys Knowledge Module January 2012 4