The 2nd Men Engage Global Symposium kicked off in New Delhi on November 10. Over 1000 delegates from 94 countries are attending the symposium where speakers and activists from across the globe have come to share their experience and knowledge on ways in which men can be engaged in changing social norms.
Sonke, the Co-Chair of the MenEngage Alliance has been involved in both the organising of the symposium and Sonke staff are presenting on a number of panels and presentations: Sonke’s Executive Director, Dean Peacock, joined other delegates to speak at an international press conference addressing the significance of the 2nd MenEngage symposium, its agenda and expected outcomes. MenCare South Africa Manager, Andre Lewaks, participated in a presentation entitled “Integrated efforts to engage multiple generations of men and women in gender equality, violence prevention, health and caregiving.” Other topics such as religion, community mobilisations, gender & reproduction and ending gender-based violence are also being discussed.
MenEngage Africa presented a panel on the upbringing of African men and how there is a huge gap in educating men and boys about gender equality, gender-based violence and human rights.. The panel focused on solutions to better engage men and boys in topics of gender-based violence, sexual reproduction human rights and child rights.
In an opening plenary speech, the notable Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, emphasised that “engaging men and boys is a must” for “advancing women’s rights and equality.”
In a session on MenEngage’s Sexual Reproduction Health Rights (SRHR) Initiative, Sonke’s Dean Peacock, expressed that “gender equality is not about women versus men or of women having to score points over men. It needs to get expressed in ways that suggest that for women to experience gains and improvements in gender related indicators, whether that’s in health or equality or employment rights – somehow men must lose their rights.”
To watch some of the symposium sessions, visit the MenEngage symposium website here: http://www.menengagedilli2014.net/day-2.html
