Gender Based Violence (GBV) is one that is unfortunately often characterized as a “women issue”. Most men are naturally very protective of the women in their lives. Wives, daughters, mothers and friends can confidently point out some male figures in their lives that have time and again acted as the protective shield in their time of need. A vast majority of men do not automatically subscribe to violence of any kind against women. In fact, most of them will walk through the gates of hell for the women they care about in a heartbeat. Interestingly, conversations surrounding the safety of women are often seen by men as “none of their business”.
Statistically speaking, physical and sexual violence are gender based crimes that do not exactly paint men in a good light, as they are mostly the perpetrators in the equation. On this premise, it goes without saying that the allyship of men in fighting gender based crimes is equally as important. Simply put, the advocacy could use some male champions.
Advocacy for healthy society where women and children are cared for and protected from Gender Based Violence is one that could use support or allyship from well-meaning male counterparts. Examining the behaviors or attitudes that prove conducive for such acts to thrive is a good starting point. Some men simply act as bystanders watching on as injustice is carried out on a hapless victim. They would rather not interfere and so choose to look the other way, as the victim suffers. It is also worth mentioning that, due to some unpleasant past experiences of some male allies’ “meddling” in such situations, they more than likely will never interfere in such matters and so they give up. To stand any great chance of roping in male allies/champions it is important to arm men with enough information on what they are up against when they choose to intervene in such matters. Another very important reason to somewhat piggyback on male allies or champions, to drum home this message is the potential to reach an audience that otherwise would flat-out refuse to grant one. Believe it or not, male chauvinists still exist and the only hope to reach such a demographic with a conversation like that is through their male counterparts. A generation of men conscious of gender-based issues is far more likely to reach fellow men than women could. Male champions or allies are essentially the buffers against gender-based violence.
Recently, there have been massive projects like the ENOUGH Project, that aims to educate men on appropriate behaviors around women and how to treat women and that is commendable. But then, it will suffice to say women and girls should also learn de-escalation techniques to reduce the chances of abuse of physical nature. Don’t raise your hand first at any man and then ask why they refuse to act like a “gentleman” when they react. Everybody should keep their hands to themselves. There is no telling the reaction of anyone (male/female) once you decide to get physical.
Soliciting male support in gender advocacy helps a great deal, both in muscle and resources. A conscious effort to bring into the fold male allies, provides advocacy groups the male perspectives needed to tackle the canker and “provide women and girls suffering any form of abuse the needed protective shield in their time of need.”
