Enhancing Male Participation for Improving Gender Equality

Partners

Nari Samta Manch, Pune
Astitva Samaj Vikas Sanshodhan Sanstha, Sangola
Halo Medical Foundation, Anadur
Yuva Gram Vikas Mandal, Kaij
Savitri Bai Phule Mahila Mandal, Beed

About the Project

CHSJ is currently working on an initiative based on the belief that gender equality through men’s changed perceptions of their masculinity and roles in society are possible if they are given opportunities and spaces to reflect and analyze their situation in larger context of power and relationships. This process is being implemented in 125 villages in 3 districts of Solapur, Pune and Beed Maharashtra. The objective is to reduce gender violence and discriminatory behaviours at the family level, to improve knowledge, attitude and behaviour of men and boys on issues of gender equality and VAW, to improve women’s participation in decision making and to increase male participation in reproductive health issues. This project is supported by UNFPA.

Second Annual Symposium - December 10-11, 2012

Project Impact

  • Around 240 groups have also been created at the community level, which provide a platform to their members to share their concerns, and take up issues of gender justice.
  • Men have started sharing household work, taking care of children and demonstrating more affection.
  • Animators have started analyzing their role in domestic violence and started intervening.
  • Men have tried to stop early marriage of daughters and are supporting higher education of girls and even refusing to give dowry.
  • A referral mechanism has started for men’s sexual and reproductive health services.

UNFPA Goodwill Ambassadors' visit

Picture
Catarina Furtado, a popular Portuguese television personality, who also serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNFPA, was in India recently. Ms. Furtado found evidence to support the idea that traditional gender roles are shifting in the state of Maharasthra, where UNFPA India supports NGO partners in a project that encourages gender sensitivity among young married and unmarried men through trained, village-based facilitators in 100 villages of rural Maharashtra.
Read more

Yes, We Can - A 5 part series

Film 4- The Story of Dadaso Gurav. This short film, produced by CHSJ is a part of the Yes, We Can series, which documents the stories of men in Maharashtra who have brought about a change in their lives, after becoming sensitized towards gender equality and how this changed perspective has impacted their attitudes and behavior towards the women and children in their family- often making them more caring fathers.
Watch all 5 parts

Newsletters 

Samajdar Jodidar March 2013

Samajdar Jodidar December 2012
Samajdar Jodidar September 2012
Samajdar Jodidar June 2012
Samajdar Jodidar January 2012
Samajdar Jodidar September 2011
Samajdar Jodidar June 2011