In order to promote gender equality and women’s equal enjoyment of
human rights, SAHAYOG works with men and boys as responsible partners in
encouraging social change and securing a violence-free life for all.
Since unequal gender relations are upheld by various institutions,
programme interventions go beyond behaviour change strategies into
transforming institutions themselves.
Objectives:
- To
transform gender relations by bringing about a change among men and
boys
- To
campaign for ending all forms of violence against women
- To change
the gendered nature of institutional policies
- To
promote gender equitable and responsible relationships for
prevention of HIV/AIDS
To fulfil
these objectives, SAHAYOG reaches out to men and boys through cultural
and advocacy events, trainings, publications and interventions to raise
awareness on issues of gender equality, masculinities, violence against
women and health. SAHAYOG also strengthens forums aimed at providing men
with a supportive peer environment to challenge gender-based values and
practices.
From
2003 to 2008, SAHAYOG’s work with men has included the following
activities:
Supporting a men's network MASVAW
Since 2003, SAHAYOG has hosted the secretariat of the network Men’s
Action for Stopping Violence Against Women (MASVAW) network,
which brings together youth in university and colleges, adolescents,
school and university teachers, media persons, social activists,
academicians, and local elected councillors in rural areas. MASVAW
organizes campaigns, seminars, workshops, and other initiatives to
encourage men to challenge social norms of gender inequality and oppose
violence against women.
For more information about MASVAW’s work, please click
here.
Interventions with Young Men and Boys
in schools
Through SAHAYOG’s programs in schools, colleges and universities youth
are encouraged to debate, paint, discuss films and engage with other
youth and men towards building a deeper understanding of the issues of
VAW and gender inequality. These have proved immensely popular all over
Uttar Pradesh and there is ever-increasing demand for seminars and
workshops with the students.
SAHAYOG has a body of resource materials such as posters, games,
flash-card sets, an activity book and films for interactive sessions
with young men and boys. SAHAYOG has also developed modules for teachers
to use for creating awareness in school children, and a set of training
session plans for gender trainings with men
Men Beyond Bridges
In 2007, SAHAYOG carried out a study on the issue of gender,
masculinities and HIV/AIDS in the context of male migration in the
eastern region of Uttar Pradesh. The report of the findings were used to
create training modules and educational materials in Hindi for migration
preparedness. This is a departure from conventional HIV prevention
material in that it highlights the complex nature of negotiating safe
sex within heterosexual or male-to-male interactions, occurring either
with or without consent.
SAHAYOG has conducted a capacity building workshop using the Training
Module, in which participants were enabled to understand HIV in the
context of gendered and multiple vulnerabilities. The posters, stickers,
flash-card set, illustrated story and FAQ booklet specifically focused
on the needs of young men and boys who are likely to migrate to large
cities. These resources helped to prepare young male migrants in eastern
Uttar Pradesh with information on risk-taking behavior, and promote
gender equitable and responsible relationships for the prevention of
HIV/AIDS. |
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