As promised, soundbites from the No Private Matter! contest:
Action India – Women, Law and Social Change
About the organization: Based in New Delhi, India, Action India has been making safe places in impoverished communities for women to gather.
The innovation: The Mahila Panchayat network system was designed to allow women to seek redress to grievances. It has “mobilized women and community leaders to change their subordinate position in the family and move towards building more equal partnerships.” This system is highly effective as it involves the community and social pressure results in the resolution of conflicts between men and women.
My thoughts: In a society highly concentrated on communities, this is an awesome innovation. Men and women can work together to make things better and women won’t be ignored in a highly patriarchial society because “everyone will be watching”.
Men for Gender Equality Now – Kenyan Men Betray Archaic Patriarchy
About the organization: They (MEGEN) are a “Kenyan network of men working to end gender based violence and the spread of HIV/AIDS through prevention, service provision to the victims and awareness creation focusing on the role of men as agents of change.”
The innovation: Survivor support activities -
- MEGEN goes to homes of victims of gender-based violence
- The victim is retrieved from the place of assault and the crime is reported to police
- Referrals are made for “medical, legal, psychological assistance” and for a safe shelter in extreme cases
Awareness campaigns -
- activism (Men’s Traveling Conference)
- delivery of “education, awareness, research and network building components in all the communities reached”
My thoughts: Whenever the subject of gender-based violence is brought up, and the violence is perpetrated by men against women, it is very effective to have men start a peaceful conversation with other men. Unfortunately, men sometimes think that women are not the most credible sources of information about this topic…and that women nag….
Men Can Stop Rape (USA)
About the organization: Men Can Stop Rape is “a national leader on engaging young men in gender violence prevention.”. This organization reaches out to youths in Boys’ and Girls’ clubs and educational institutions, among others.
The innovation:
- “Mobilize male youth to prevent men’s violence against women”
- “Inspire them to create their own positive definitions of masculinity, manhood, and strength; develop healthy relationships with others; embrace the concept of personal responsibility; work in partnership with female peers; and do their part to end violence and build safe communities”
- “Redefine masculinity is unique – focus on defining and asserting positive masculinity for young men”
My thoughts: As I mentioned for MEGEN, having men talk to other men can be really effective. Even better if we start the conversation with young males who are constantly inundated with societal notions of what it means to “be a man”.
