To end domestic and sexual violence, men and boys need to be part of the solution and use their voice for change. To end SGBV men and boys need to be engaged in the process of personal, relational and social change. Seven (7) behaviours men can incorporate to help end gender-based violence and promote gender equity, healthy relationships and positive ideals of masculinity:
- Think about the kind of man you want to be. Be true to yourself.
- Never use force, threats, or violence in your relationships with women, girls, boys and others.
- Speak out against violence against women and girls
- Be a good role model and share with other men and boys the importance of respecting women and girls.
- Learn about the impact of violence against women in our communities.
- Challenge and speak out against hurtful language, sexist jokes and bullying.
- Help in uncovering, challenging and changing the patriarchal gender norms that perpetuate SGBV and gender inequality.
#letsstopSGBVtogether #letsendSGBVtogether
Domestic violence is a major public health problem, affecting more than 2 million women and girls, and resulting in homelessness, injury, or death of victims, billions of dollars in health care costs, and lost work productivity.
Preventing domestic violence involves providing economic opportunity, mentors, role models, organized community programs for youth and families, a school environment that promotes prevention of abusiveness in any relationship, and adult family members who are nurturing and who provide consistent, structured support.
We all have a role to play in preventing all forms of SGBV.
#letsstopSGBVtogether #letsendSGBVtogether
Since inequities are often created by unequal power dynamics between men and women, efforts that shift these dynamics, encourage behavior change, and engage men and boys as allies, are central to making progress on SDG 5.
Women, girls, men and boys should work together to achieve SDG 5.
Gender equality is progress!