National Forum on Engaging men and boys in gender equality and gender-based violence prevention and response under the COVID-19 and crisis context

I. Background and Issues:

According to the Peace House’s record in the social-distancing period, domestic violence has doubled. The interrupted support services for violence victims is the reason for the violence has exacerbated.

For the aforementioned concern,  “Supporting Intervention to Eliminate Violence against women and children in Vietnam under Covid Emergency context” has been implemented by the UN Women, along with other partner agencies, UNFPA, UNICEF.

Throughout the past few years, by cooperating with the Da Nang Women Union and the Department of Labor and Social Affairs in Ho Chi Minh city, UN Women has supported two cities to establish Safe Cities free from violence for women and girls.   Among these, the program that empowers men to voluntarily pioneer in the violence against women and girls’ prevention in their communities follows the similar approach of Partners for Prevention’s project (P4P). Such diversity of attitudes and practices around masculinities points toward opportunities to develop more gender-equitable, non-violent norms among men.  21 male advocate clubs in Da Nang and 6 male pioneer clubs in Ho Chi Minh city have been established and well maintained.

To continue the success of the male pioneer club’s models, the GBVnet with the support of UN Women organized a National Forum on Engaging men and boys in gender equality and gender-based violence prevention and response under the COVID-19 and crisis context”

II. Successes and Achievements

On 02 March 2021, a National Forum on engaging men and boys in the promotion of gender equality and elimination of gender-based violence was held. The National Forum attracted nearly 50 distinguished guests attending the forum in person and almost 100 people view of the livestream on GBVnet and ISDS’s Facebook pages.

The Forum obtained the following vital successes:

(1)  Participation of key, high profile international and national leaders as Sir Kamal Malhotra The UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam; Head of several ministerial departments and offices; and 6 key influential men in the country on promoting gender equality and preventing gender-based violence.

(2) Sharing newest and groundbreaking research on men and masculinity in a globalizing Vietnam.

(3) Sharing and discussing of 6 key influential men coming from different areas, fields, and professions on how best to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence as well as organize and run a future National Forum on Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Equality Promotion and Gender-Based Violence Elimination.

(4) Introducing and Discussing the work plan of the first national men’s network in Vietnam.

(5) The wide and deep coverage of media: including ISDS Livestream, VTV program reach, share on personal Facebook pages about the forum by key influential men.

III. Challenges and Lessons learnt

Challenges

(1) How to engage men and boys in a coordinated national forum when they, themselves, are diverse with varied interests and agendas, not to mention they spread across the country.

(2) How to gather these active, role mode men and boys together in a crisis time such as this Covid-19 pandemic.

Recommendations

(1) A more formal National Forum on Engaging Men and Boys in promotion of gender equality and elimination of gender based violence needs to be established as soon as possible.

(2) Documentation and diversification of innovative communication models on engaging men and boys in promotion of GE and elimination of GBV in all environments and settings for not only men but also women to choose, apply and adapt the best practice for their works.

(3) It is necessary to  have follow-up activities to share and promote the project activities, attract the interest and engage leaders from society to identify the real issues of GE and GBV.

(4) Organisations that promote and work in the fields of gender equality and gender based violence prevention should devote more attention, resources, and support towards male initiatives, models to help them promote gender equality and prevent gender based violence.