Engaging Men in “Women’s Issues”: Inclusive Approaches to Gender and
Engaging Men in “Women’s Issues”: Inclusive Approaches to Gender and
Development As a follow-up to our update on our Men’s Leadership Program in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, we invite you to read the latest issue of
Critical Half, our bi-annual journal. Critical Half is a publication of
Women for Women International devoted to the exchange of ideas and insight
encountered by practitioners in the field of gender, development, conflict
and post-conflict reconstruction.
Over the course of 14 years of working on gender and development issues,
Women for Women International has seen how cultural norms regarding female
roles often prevent women from realizing their economic, social and
political potential. Men frequently play pivotal roles in maintaining these
norms - it is our belief that we cannot overlook opportunities to develop
partnerships for change between women and men.
In the Winter 2007 issue of Critical Half, entitled Engaging Men in “Women’s
Issues”: Inclusive Approaches to Gender and Development, we present the
programs and observations of several individuals and organizations who work
with men to promote gender equality. Articles explore men’s perceptions of
gender roles; men’s opinions of “women’s empowerment”; factors and
incentives that influence men’s receptiveness to economic, social and
political programs for women; obstacles faced by men who wish to implement
change in their communities; and proven strategies to create partnerships
with men to positively transform gender relations.Â
Readers will no doubt notice that most of the Critical Half articles present
examples from sub-Saharan Africa. Interestingly, it appears that many
initiatives that engage men are currently operating in that region. The need
to involve men in gender issues, however, is a universal concern, and it is
our hope that by showcasing work with men in several African communities we
can provide insight and inspire debate among other communities around the
world who are searching for innovative and sustainable methods to transform
gender relations and better the lives of all.  Â
Read this issue of Critical Half today at
http://www.womenforwomen.org/repubbiannual.htm.
Support a Woman Survivor of War this Mother’s Day
Instead of buying flowers or perfume, why not do something truly meaningful
to honor a woman in your life?
Make a Mother’s Day gift to Women for Women International at
www.womenforwomen.org/mothers.
We’ll send your recipient a beautiful Mother’s Day card telling her that a
donation has been made in her honor. Your gift will help a mother in a
war-torn nation realize the most cherished dream of mothers around the world
- to care for her children and provide them with a future. At the same time,
it will be a moving symbol of how deeply you care for your honoree - and for
mothers everywhere that are working toward a brighter future.