National Male Engagement Strategy for Gender Equality, Gender Based Violence, HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights: 2023-2030
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Date
2023-07-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Malawi Government
Abstract
Meaningful engagement of men and boys is recognised as critical to the advancement of gender equality and equity. A number of creative strategies exist for engaging men and boys, and these include creating opportunities for men to examine and challenge gender socialisation; giving positive reinforcement to boys who support gender equality; and mobilising communities to counter harmful practices and norms. It has, however, been observed that changing norms is extremely challenging given the benefits that patriarchy bestows on men. Gender equality requires men to relinquish their unfair privileges, which is a complex and dynamic process. At an individual level, it can be difficult for men and women to transform beliefs
and practices that they have learnt from childhood. In addition, the desire
and ability of men and boys (and women) to change depends on their
broader contexts and the messages they receive from their environment
about gender norms and masculinity and femininity. The Ministry therefore
found it imperative to develop the strategy which looks at how best
men and boys can be engaged as clients, beneficiaries and agents of change in actively promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and
the transformation of inequitable definitions of masculinity. The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry responsible for Gender, spearheaded the development of the first National Male Engagement Strategy to run from 2023 to 2028 through a wide consultative process, which involved other government ministries and departments, development partners, donors, civil society and NGOs. The strategy will guide all players in the gender sector on how males (boys and men) can complement and not compete with activities focusing on girls and women to achieving gender equity and equality. It is my sincere hope that the commitment that all stakeholders had shown in developing this strategy will continue during its implementation as we all strive to ensure that men and boys take an active role in preventing and responding to GBV, HIV treatment, care and support and SRHR.
Description
Meaningful engagement of men and boys is recognised as critical to the advancement of gender equality and equity. A number of creative strategies exist for engaging men and boys, and these include creating opportunities for men to examine and challenge gender socialisation; giving positive reinforcement to boys who support gender equality; and mobilising communities to counter harmful practices and norms. It has, however, been observed that changing norms is extremely challenging given the benefits that patriarchy bestows on men. Gender equality requires men to relinquish
their unfair privileges, which is a complex and dynamic process. At an
individual level, it can be difficult for men and women to transform beliefs
and practices that they have learnt from childhood. In addition, the desire
and ability of men and boys (and women) to change depends on their
broader contexts and the messages they receive from their environment
about gender norms and masculinity and femininity. The Ministry therefore
found it imperative to develop the strategy which looks at how best men and boys can be engaged as clients, beneficiaries and agents of change in actively promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and the transformation of inequitable definitions of masculinity. The Government of Malawi, through
the Ministry responsible for Gender, spearheaded the development of
the first National Male Engagement Strategy to run from 2023 to 2028
through a wide consultative process, which involved other government
ministries and departments, development partners, donors, civil society and NGOs. The strategy will guide all players in the gender sector on how males (boys and men) can complement and not compete with activities focusing on girls and women to achieving gender equity and equality. It is my sincere hope that the commitment that all stakeholders had shown in developing this strategy will continue during its implementation as we all strive to ensure that men and boys take an active role in preventing and responding to GBV, HIV treatment, care and support and SRHR.