Week 1: Introductions and your understanding of positive masculinities

Gender Equality - Positive Masculinities
#1

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the gender e-discussion. My name is Busi Ngcebetsha, I am the moderator for this e-discussion. You will learn more about me a little bit later.

Gender equality is a fundamental human right. Yet gender-based discrimination – that is, social norms and stereotypes that privilege men and undermine women and girls – creates barriers to girls’ education and independence, the unequal participation of women in social, economic, and political spheres, and gender-based violence. The negative impacts of gender-based discrimination don’t only affect women and girls. A patriarchal model of masculinity based on violence and domination also reproduces and deepens issues that affect boys and men, such as bullying, depression and harassment. In order to achieve gender justice for all, boys and men need to be part of the solution. This is why we have this discussion on gender equality with special focus on positive masculinities.

Our discussion starts today and runs for four weeks. We will focus on topics such as:

  • Understanding positive masculinities
  • Masculinities and religious and cultural norms
  • Relation between positive masculinities and ending gender-based violence
  • Positive masculinities in the workplace

We have two resource persons that will give us facts and respond to our questions. They will introduce themselves as we go along.

This is what you have to do this week:

  1. Click on the “reply” button and introduce yourself. Your introduction should include your name, where you are from, the name of your radio station or organisation, and your role.
  2. After introducing yourself, please tell us what you understand about positive masculinities.
  3. Respond to other people’s posts.

Active participants who introduce themselves in week 1 and make at least three meaningful posts in weeks 2, 3 and 4 will receive an “Active Participant” certificate at the end of the discussion.

If you want to socialize with others or discuss other topics, you can visit the Cafe

Cheers!

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#2
  1. Introduction. Your introduction should include your name, where you are from, the name of your radio station or organisation, and your role.

My name is Patrick Mphaka from Malawi. I have more than 20 years of experience in broadcasting, having worked for the national broadcaster in Malawi as a programme producer and presenter. I have also trained Civil Society broadcasters in some African countries (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan) to help them produce and present different radio programmes that promote the objectives of their development projects. Currently, I am an FRI networking officer for Malawi.

  1. My Understanding of positive masculinities.

One of the challenges in understanding masculinity is that a great deal of literature approaches the topic through toxic masculinity, or the harms that gender norms cause.
Through their families, generally, society teaches men what is not manly from an early age: you must avoid being weak, emotional, or shy. As boys become teenagers and young adults, they are told of the dangers of being masculine through the theory of toxic masculinity. The result is plenty of guidance for don’ts but few for dos . Men are rarely told what they should be striving for. Positive masculinities means moving away from conversations that focus on what not to be into thoughtful dialogues about what being a man should be. Engaging in such discussions, I believe, will likely shift society energies into encouraging men and boys to do what is right and supportive of the welfare of girls and women as equals.

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#3

My Names are Joseph Mashingo and am from kwenje radio station in the district of Chama,Muchinga province.

My understanding about Positive Masculinities is ; Positive masculinity is when men use their physical and emotional strength to champion healthy behaviors and communities . Positive masculinity also is the antithesis of toxic masculinity. The focus of positive masculinity is to help generations of men learn healthy behaviors and then develop more robust communities.

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#4

Hello, am Alfred James Mungwa, Producer at Nyimba FM Radio Station, in Eastern Province of Great Nation Zambia.

One of the struggles with understanding masculinity is that so much of the literature surrounding the topic refers only to “toxic masculinity,” or the harms that gender norms cause. Interest in toxic masculinity has grown over the past five years in search terms, peaking at the beginning of 2019 with searches relating to Gillette’s commercial.

Men are taught an early age of what isn’t “manly: “you must avoid being weak, emotional, and shy. As boys become teenagers and young adults, they are told of the dangers of being masculine through the theory of toxic masculinity. The result is plenty of guidance for “don’ts” but few for “dos.” Men are rarely told what they should be striving for.

We need to move away from conversations that focus on what not to be and into thoughtful dialogues about what being a man should be.
Positive masculinity is when men use their physical and emotional strength to champion healthy behaviors and communities. Positive masculinity is the antithesis of toxic masculinity. The focus of positive masculinity is to help generations of men learn healthy behaviors and then develop more robust communities.

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#5

Hey, Everyone, my name is Betty Mujungu. A peace journalist and a feminist. Am a show host, Creatives and Outreach Team leader at Voice Of Toro, Fortportal Uganda.
Am happy we are having this conversation. It’s true most of us have either experienced or seen those that have the experience of Toxic Masculinity. This is what fills most of the space in our communities given the patriarchal society where musiculinity comes with privileges and opportunities that in a big and loud way discriminate and silence women and girls. Today we are changing the narrative. Masculinity is a great support to emotional strength and healthy behaviors in communities. That’s Positive masculinity. Energies and all the features that God has given the man, should be put to positive use, to Protect, to encourage to make sweet soft love, etc. The way we raise our Children both Boys and girls should be non discriminatory in terms of opportunities and behaviors. This will indeed grow positive masculinity and make it practical.

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Cafe - A place to socialize and for other topics
#6

Hello @Pmphaka @Joseph1 @Betty @AlfredJamesMungwa

Welcome! We are delighted to have you on board. I trust that you will learn a thing or two in this discussion and you will also share experiences and knowledge for others to learn from you.

Thank you for introducing yourselves and sharing your understanding of positive masculinities.

I am quoting a few points from your understanding which I also agree with:

#7

Hi Alfred @AlfredJamesMungwa

Thank you again for your contribution, however I noticed that your understanding of positive masculinities is a combination of the two first contributions in this topic and it is word for word. We would also like to hear your own view in your own words.

#8

  1. Introduction.
    My name is Joseph Amani Mariki from Tanzania. I am working with ELCT-NED UTUME FM RADIO allocated in Lushoto District in Tanga Region, I have Six years of experience in radio broadcasting as a presenter and Programs Producer.

  2. My Understanding of positive masculinities.
    Is a situation where men use their physical, emotional, and strength to conqueror healthy behavior in communities.
    Learning Positive masculinity will assist generations of men to learn healthy behaviors and develop more communities.

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#9

My name is gift dominic banda smoothfm zambia
Iam a producer/presenter and news caster

Submition
Positive masculinity is when men use their physical and emotional strength to champion healthy behaviors and communities. Positive masculinity is the antithesis of toxic masculinity. The focus of positive masculinity is to help generations of men learn healthy behaviors and then develop more robust communities.

It’s about displaying vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and moral courage. It demands a re-examination of what it means to be a man—to redefine how the world envisions “masculinity.” Re-thinking masculinity is a little bit like practicing positive psychology. We need to identify and highlight the positive qualities of masculinity to help show men how they should behave.

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#10

Hi everyone!
I am Joshua Baba Madaki,
Station Coordinator NENZIT COMMUNITY RADIO FARMAN ZANGO KATAF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA KADUNA STATE NIGERIA.

Talking about “Positive Masculinity” in practical terms, means realizing that you can be strong and still be kind. In fact, the greatest display of strength is to have power and not use it. It is being able to process negative feelings and energy for a positive reason.

It is also being confident and trusting in yourself so much that you feel safe doing things that are considered non-masculine.

Positive masculinity is being protective, but leaving space for the people you protect to learn to be their own first line of protection.

Equally, treating women with the same respect you treat men, which should be the utmost, because all people deserves respect and dignity, knowing that force doesn’t have to be physical. Like if you see someone berating someone else, you could talk them down without having to get to their level and yelling.

It can also be seen as using your assertive, dominant male testosterone to help the elderly especially when they have loads on their heads, or struggling to push things etc.

Furthermore, expressing your affection for those you care about. Men can have platonic male friends and still hug them hello and goodbye.

Generally, just being aware and self-reflective about your effect on those around you, and looking to improve and communicate is a positive masculinity, it lifts other people up to accomplish their best. It says that you can accomplish your goals, and you have everything you need to do so.

These in my little understanding are positive masculinity.

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#11

Hello Betty,

I agree with you when you write: Today we are changing the narrative. Masculinity is a great support to emotional strength and healthy behaviours in communities…Energies and all the features that God has given the man should be put to positive use, to Protect, to encourage to make sweet soft love, etc. Indeed, men already have what it takes to make this world a better place for women. They just need to refocus on what they can do, and what needs to be done to be a solution to issues that negatively affect girls and women because of the so-called ‘macho’ behaviour that some men feel forced to display because they are boys or men, lest they are labelled ‘weak’. Let us focus on what men need to do, how they should behave, how they can support. The journey starts now.

Patrick (Malawi).

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#12

My names are Ndabile Liche from Zambia. I work under un organization called COMACO(Community market for conservation) I am a host of a farmer radio programs called Farm Talk which is aired in Seven Community radio Stations in Zambia.

According to the way I understand the word Masculinity itself. Masculinity refers as a set of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with men and boys. Therefore it has also concluded that some of the masculinity behaviors or doings are socially constructed, and there is also evidence that some behaviors are influenced by both cultural factors, political, economic, biological factors and even historic. Mind you this masculinity is also in different types but I will talk about.

Coming to understanding positive masculinity: this is a situation when men and boys use their physical and emotional strength to develop, engage their communities for better societies with equal opportunities for both men and women’s. But it’s unfortunately that most of our men use their physical and emotional strength oppress and abuse women’s.
It’s high time that our men and boys should understand and accept the education teachings about Gender equality and use their strength as men to contribute positively to their community.

Men can us their masculinity to teaching the children good behavior, being role models in the community as well as using their physical power to do work that can bring economy lather that abusing their masculinity provisions to treat the other gender.
Thanks;
Liche Ndabile
Zambia.

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#13

My name is Evelyn Balozi working at ELCT-NED Utume FM Radio based in Lushoto district -Tanga Tanzania

Earlier didn’t know the meaning of positive masculinity, however after joining discussion today I took a time to study different articles.

According to Garrett Michael Carlson it mean when men use their physical and emotional strength to champion healthy behaviors and communities. Positive masculinity is the antithesis of toxic masculinity. The focus of positive masculinity is to help generations of men learn healthy behaviors and then develop more robust communities.

In my opinion It means impartiality and an attempt not to limit oneself based on gender expectations.

So that as media experts, I think it is our obligation to set the agenda for gender expectations., We need to identify and highlight the positive qualities of masculinity to help show men how they should behave.

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#14

Hello everyone,
My name is Angela Ndonga
Iam from Kalomo Southern Zambia. I work at Voice of Kalomo Radio Station. Iam a Journalist and a Public Relations’ officer by profession , I am the station manager.

Coming to what I understand about Positive Masculinity.
This is when men use their physical strength to develop healthy masculinity. They suppress there emotions just because they are men. For example where men are told not to cry in public just because they are to be strong. But Positive Masculinity teaches men to express themselves and also have female friends also building self- reliance

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#15

Maila pride from Voice of kalomo community radio station. Journalist / presenter.

Interesting topic here. Well Positive masculinity according to my understanding is when men use their physical and emotional strength to champion healthy behaviors and communities. Positive masculinity is the antithesis of toxic masculinity. The focus of positive masculinity is to help generations of men learn healthy behaviors and then develop more robust communities.

It’s about displaying vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and moral courage. It demands a re-examination of what it means to be a man—to redefine how the world envisions “masculinity.”

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#16

My names are BANDA THAYO from Nyimba fm radio as radio producer from Eastern part of Zambia

Our world is a deeply unequal one. Systemic inequalities which disadvantage women and advantage men are visible around the globe. Whether on looks at political power and authority, economic resources and decision-making, sexual and family relations, or media and culture, one finds gender inequalities. These are sustained in part by constructions of masculinity-by the cultural meanings associated with being a man, the practices which men adopt, and the collective and institutional organisation of men’s lives and relations.

Engaging men in gender equality: Positive strategies and approaches: Overview and annotated bibliography

Emily Esplen

Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, 2006

There has been much resistance on the part of some women to involving men in gender and development work–driven by fears about the dilution of the feminist agenda, and by anxieties over the diversion of limited resources away from women’s empowerment initiatives and back into the hands of men. Yet not engaging with men and boys may limit the effectiveness of development interventions, and may actually intensify gender inequalities.

Development interventions which aim to improve women’s employment and income generating opportunities, for example, are likely to compound women’s heavy work burdens unless efforts are made to encourage men to take greater responsibility for child care and domestic chores. Projects that focus solely on women may also reinforce existing gender stereotypes (women as carers, men as breadwinners, and so on). Involving men, by contrast, can generate a broader consensus on issues which have previously been marginalised as being of interest to women only–sexual and reproductive health.

Positive masculinities and gender-based violence educational interventions among young people: a systematic review

Vanesa Pérez-Martínez, Jorge Marcos-Marcos, Ariadna Cerdán-Torregrosa, Erica Briones-Vozmediano, Belen Sanz-Barbero, MCarmen Davó-Blanes, Nihaya Daoud, Clarie Edwards, Mariano Salazar, Daniel La Parra-Casado, Carmen Vives-Cases

Background:

Hegemonic masculinity has been recognized as contributing to the perpetration of different forms of gender-based violence (GBV). Abandoning hegemonic masculinities and promoting positive masculinities are both strategies used by interventions that foreground a “gender-transformative approach.” Preventing GBV among young people could be strengthened by engaging young men. In this article, we aim to systematically review the primary characteristics, methodological quality, and results of published evaluation studies of educational interventions that aim to prevent different forms of GBV through addressing hegemonic masculinities among young people.

Main body:

We conducted a systematic review of available literature (2008–2019) using Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, PsycInfo, the CINAHL Complete Database, and ERIC as well as Google scholar. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication was used for data extraction, and the quality of the selected studies was analyzed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. More than half of the studies were conducted in Africa ( n = 10/15) and many were randomized controlled trials ( n = 8/15). Most of the studies with quantitative and qualitative methodologies ( n = 12/15) reported a decrease in physical GBV and/or sexual violence perpetration/victimization ( n = 6/15). Longitudinal studies reported consistent results over time.

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#17

Hello, am Alfred James Mungwa, from Nyimba FM Radio Station in Eastern Province of Great Nation Zambia.

To My understanding, Masculinity is one of the struggles with so much of the literature surrounding the toxic masculinity, or the harms that gender norms cause.

Men are taught an early age of what isn’t manly doseand does which they must do or must avoid being weak, emotional, and shy.

It is when men uses their physical and emotional strength to champion healthy behaviors and communities. Positive masculinity is the antithesis of toxic masculinity. The focus of positive masculinity is to help generations of men learn healthy behaviors and then develop more robust communities.

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#18

My name Positively s Kebby Sianjame from Voice of Kalomo Community radio station in Zambia.
Masculinities is the ability for men to use their superiority to help other men, women and the growing male youths. This includes respect for others especially their opposite gender. This is because so traditional cultures in Zambia will not allow females and youths to make decisions in some discussion. Hence forth men should come out and support wemen by giving them equal opportunity of decision making positions.

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About the Gender Equality - Positive Masculinities category
#19

My name is Mariama Sowe, a Media trainer from Freetown Sierra Leone. Its a pleasure to Once again be part of discussions on Gender. For me positive masculinity means when men accept to embrace women irrespective the Gender differences. They see women in the good light for instance not have the mentality that women are inferior and men are superior. It is when society at an early age teach boys on how to treat girls fairly because the issues start in these early days. Society needs to work harder to create positive masculinity so that men will always work towards putting women in good light and not looking down on them.

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#20

1.My name is Maybin Augustine Katungulu a broadcast journalist working at YGFM RADIO in CHOMA, Zambia. Currently am working as Assistant manager/News Editor/producer.
2. My understanding of positive masculinity is when people deliberately blind themselves by way of not looking at themselves as men or women instead focus on what they can contribute towards the development of society. In this case both men and women use their emotional and physical strength to achieve one goal, which is development. I also feel, positive masculinity is when people use their emotional and physical strength to challenge traditional norms and practices which undermine the progress of both men and women in society

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