The Men, Masculinities and HIV project is one of the workstreams of the Gender, Power and Sexuality (GPS) programme, funded by Sida. This workstream aims to influence norms and institutions at global and local levels to more effectively tackle the challenge of achieving gender equality, and particularly looking at the role of men in this process.
Challenging norms and stereotypes
Working closely with our partners, we engage in relevant international fora and events to challenge both the constructions of men in policy and how men in organisations in the development and HIV sector might engage with this issue on more honest terms. For example, at the 2012 International AIDS Conference, IDS and partners put on a Satellite Session on the opening day of the conference – ‘Gender and HIV: What Have Men Got to Do with It?’. This highlighted not only men’s importance to the response, but also that the role of men and masculinities in gender oppression and vulnerability is highly complex, institutionally embedded and bound up with homophobia, misogyny, racism and power.
Understanding structures of constraint and influence
In September 2013 an international symposium was held in Brighton with the title ‘Undressing Patriarchy: Redressing Inequalities’. Bringing together thinkers, activists and policy makers, the aim was to explore new thinking on patriarchy and structures of constraint to gender equality. Participants included over 40 specialists concerned with women’s empowerment, sexual rights, men’s engagement in gender equality and social justice struggles. The event was led by the Masculinities group, but also drew on support from other workstreams in the GPS programme.
Building alliances across movements
Through working with your partner organisations, local activist groups in Uganda, Kenya and India are being supported, in their efforts to engage men in gender equality work to influence, advocate and to share lessons.
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