The need for work with men in the prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG) is well accepted among advocates, educators, and policy makers. Over the past 10–15 years, interventions involving men and boys have proliferated around the world. These interventions have been motivated by a desire to address the role of men in violence perpetration, and recognition that masculinity and gender-related social norms are implicated in violence.1, 2, 3 Although not all men are violent, all men and boys have a positive part to play to help stop violence against women.4, 5 Furthermore, these men can benefit personally from more equitable relations with women, although use of this argument to encourage men to become involved is somewhat controversial.6
Violence prevention practice has developed during the past few decades from instrumental approaches that target only women to approaches that seek to transform the relations, norms, and systems that sustain gender inequality and violence.7, 8 Gender norms for men have become central. This change can be seen in the language used by practitioners. Initially, men were rarely mentioned, except possibly as (potential) perpetrators of violence.4 The language of men as partners emerged in the 1990s, with men described as allies of women in the work to end men's violence, or the promotion of gender equity. More recent interventions have sought to change the way men see themselves as men (their gender identities) and consequent gendered practices, including the use of violence, sexual practices, and other behaviour towards women (figure 1).9
Prioritisation of, and resource allocation for, work with men on violence prevention has often been contested, not least by female gender activists concerned about opportunity costs and future male domination of the field of violence against women and girls.10 Although they engage men, some interventions have shied away from naming men (eg, by explicit reference to the need to change men's violence against women5) and making their roles visible in the desired change objectives (ie, to change men's behaviour). Interventions have been very varied, and some have excluded women. The use of role models and stereotypical masculine attributes in violence prevention work has been challenged by those who fear that such interventions might reinforce that which we most seek to change.9 Women's groups have voiced concerns that donors have diverted funding from women's programmes and services to work with men, and this has further marginalised women's voices and experiences.6 This Series paper seeks to situate these debates by addressing the questions of why focus on men's violence, what part gender plays, what works in work with men, and how evidence and gender theory can be used to work more effectively to address social norms on gender relations with men and boys in addition to women and girls.
Key messages
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Men's use and experience of violence is a major public health problem, and men and boys are necessary participants, along with women and girls, in prevention interventions to reduce perpetration of violence against women and girls.
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Men's perpetration of violence against women and girls is a constituent element of gender inequality, and men's use and experiences of violence are upheld by commonly held versions of manhood. Violence against women and girls is more common where men themselves encounter high levels of violence.
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Interventions to address perpetration of violence against women and girls by men vary greatly in terms of target groups, change objectives, and methods. Evidence on interventions solely with boys and men is scarce, and most points to some measured attitudinal changes, but not necessarily change in violence perpetration or social norms.
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Future work should promote more programmes with women and girls, in addition to boys and men, for effective and sustained gender transformation. This work should strive for several varied change objectives related to violence reduction and the factors most associated with perpetration, have enduring effects, and be based on robust theories of change.
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Interventions need a coordinated focus on multiple risk factors and ecological levels (eg, individual, peer/family, and community levels). Approaches that centre on community norm change have the potential to change versions of masculinity that promote violence. In so doing, they address power and oppression, and seek to change the mechanisms in society that support them.