LET MEN JOIN FIGHT AGAINST GBV

Her Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister, whose Ministry also coordinate gender issues, has informed the nation that the Government is not yet prepared to declare gender-based violence as a national emergency. This follows incessant calls from the non-governmental organisations and other voices to declare GBV a national emergency.  The call was prompted by the negative impact of the scourge on families, communities and the country.  

The media has been publishing horrendous incidences of brutal killing of women and girls by man they once loved. Recently, the nation was shocked that a 17-year-old young man was reported to have brutally murdered his lover. How many lives of women and girls should be lost for the government to view the scourge as a national disaster?  We, however, commend government’s efforts to mobilize society, through the Deputy Prime Ministers Office leadership in collaboration with other partners.  

What are the facts?
Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world.  It knows no social, economic or national boundaries and it undermines the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims, yet it remains shrouded in a culture of silence. Victims of violence can suffer sexual, including forced and unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and even death. In Eswatini, gender-based violence is a persistent challenge, disproportionately affecting women and girls with approximately 1 in 3 females having experienced some form of sexual abuse by age 18 years.Violence against women and girls has been described by the World Health Organisation as a global public health pandemic.I would like us to think aloud how men in Eswatini need to be mobilised to be part of the solution.   

Gender stereotypes
There is need to meaningfully engage men to challenge negative notions of masculinity and promote healthy, gender equitable relationships and facilitate effective interpersonal communication and shared decision-making. There is need to challenge and change gender power dynamics. We are all aware about harmful and rigid expectations about what certain genders can or should do.  For example, gender norms that define men as strong may discourage them from seeking health services as they might view asking for help from a nurse or doctor as a sign of weakness.  Additionally, gender norms which treat women as property of men and reinforce notions that the man should take all decisions about a woman’s health and body should change.

Men must be part of solution
Gender based violence cannot be effectively addressed without participation of men. In this regard, community and religious leaders, community groups, and service providers need to create an enabling environment for men, so they may start challenging the negative notions of masculinity and further practice gender equal norms and behaviours.  Men should play constructive roles in promoting gender equity in their families and communities. How should men get involved in the national campaign against gender based violence? l Men should be actively Involved in raising their own children: According to the report  “State of the World’s Fathers” , produced by Promundo in 2019, when men play an integral part in the care and development of their own children right from infancy, it fosters a closer intimate bond and connection.

l Men can foster a safe environment for children, including at home, at school, and in the community.  According to Promundo, studies across 24 of 27 countries revealed that exposure to violence and trauma, whether in childhood or in the context of conflict, is linked to men’s use of violence against their intimate partners — creating a cycle of violence that can be broken through improving safety for children.l According to the Children’s Dignity Forum (CDF), men need to play a major role in helping boys, at home and in the community, break free from harmful ideas of what “manliness” or “masculinity” means such as strength, a lack of emotion, and dominance.

l Men can help by calling out GBV negative behaviours when they see it in their families and communities. They should make sure other men and boys know and understand why inappropriate sexual comments, unwanted sexual attention, sexist and demeaning jokes, and more, are not okay. l Men should participate in dialogues facilitated by variety of stakeholders including government service providers such as police, social workers, nurses as well as non-governmental organisation, religious organisation and traditional Organisations, where issues of masculinity may be engaged to foster change in behaviour.

l Men should understand and practice Consent.  Sexual activity without consent is sexual violence.  Service providers should create forums   where men and boys learn about sexual consent.  In addition, there are lot online resources to learn more about sexual consent, what it is, and why it’s so important in the fight against gender-based violence.



 

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