CariMAN : Engaging Men in Advocacy

1. CariMAN: Engaging Men in Advocacy Thomas John Holmes Guidance Counsellor President, CariMAN (Dominica) Chapter Inc.

2. CariMAN: Who are we? • Caribbean Male Action Network (CariMAN) is a Regional Organization represented in twelve English –Speaking Caribbean countries. • CariMAN creates space for boys and men to discuss issues that challenge their well-being and also share best practices. • CariMAN collaborates with women’s groups and organizations to reduce and end GBV • Funded partners: UNFPA and UN Women

3. Vision of CariMAN • A community of caring men, committed to partnering with women, to create a just world where all people achieve their fullest potential.

4. Mission of CariMAN • To engage Caribbean men in the examination of existing beliefs and norms, the promotion of respect for diversity, and the development of new paradigms and competencies, thus creating opportunities to negotiate new relationships in order to achieve gender justice, social harmony and peaceful partnerships.

5. Principles of CariMAN • We affirm the principles of gender equality and that Caribbean men and women should work together • We will encourage Caribbean men to be committed to their families • We know that Caribbean men can affirm their spiritual beliefs… • We will encourage Caribbean men to be responsible and accountable for their behaviour

6. CariMAN engaging Boys and Men • Engage men in self awareness and values clarification • Engage men to identify conceptual conflicts and cognitive differences that then allows a space for reflection and possible change. • Engage men to be voices for social justice, including gender justice

7. CariMAN : Lessons learnt • Launching of CariMAN created awareness of men meeting the needs of self and others • IMD brought together sons and fathers as an expression of responsibility and accountability • Working with men/women’s organizations to reduce Gender Based Violence

8. CariMAN: Lessons learnt • Showing love on Mothers’ Day & Fathers’ Day • Helping young males at school to embrace non-violence (Partners for Peace Programme) • Facilitating membership self-awareness

9. Collaborating with Agencies and Organizations to end Violence CariMAN (Dominica) Symposium on Violence : 1. Prison Project: Reactive and pro-active 2. Family values: Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship 3. Music: Engage young males in positive lyrics 4. Anti-Bullying School Project: Uncover it and fix it…Do not deny it

10. Challenges for CariMAN • To be true to its principles including diversity and inclusivity • To bring the many differing ideas, views, perceptions, prejudices and beliefs together • To win hearts and minds of men and able to influence change of attitudes and behaviours • Being accepted without being affiliated unnecessarily

11. Reasons for Advocacy • Be agents of change: be part of the solution • Establish and promote peace in homes, communities, the Region, the World • Collaborate to reduce/end GBV • Stop bullying before it escalates to uncontrollable level • Create Self-Awareness • Know the facts

12. Why should men be an advocates? Sexual assault…it’s a violent crime of power, control and dominance http://www.crisisconnectioninc.org • Every 45 seconds someone in the United States is sexually assaulted • 1 out of every 7 women currently in college has been raped, however, 9 out of 10 women raped on campus never tell anyone about the rape • More than 61.5% of rapes are never reported

13. Why should men be advocates? (CONT”) • 48% of adolescent girls report sexual initiation to be forced or somewhat forced in 9 Caribbean countries • Approximately 28% of rape victims are raped by their husbands, 35% by an acquaintance, and 17% by a relative other than spouse • One in three women in the Caribbean on average will experience domestic violence

14. Effects of Gender-Based Violence • Withdrawal • Aggression • Anti-social behaviour • Poor academic performance • Resort to bullying • Depression • Demonstrate control over peers/siblings • Forced pregnancy • Exposed to sexually transmitted infections

15. Men can end Gender-Based Violence Men can help by… • acquiring an understanding of gender relations • developing a sense of self-worth • developing the ability to generate choices • organizing and influencing the direction for social change to create a more just social and economic order

16. What else can men do to eliminate Gender-Based Violence • Acknowledge that male dominance and unhealthy manhood are the basis for VAW • Take up responsibility and be accountable • Acknowledge that we are guilty of practices that oppress, suppress and marginalize women

17. What else can men do to eliminate Gender-Based Violence (cont’) • Have courage to challenge practices and belief systems that reinforce and perpetrate the lowered status of women • Teach boys respect and tolerance • Believe that GBV is an unacceptable choice

18. UN Women Partners for Peace Intervention Programme • A court-based 16-week curriculum for men who have been violent towards women • Designed to encourage men in being accountability for their actions and support them in achieving violence-free lifestyle • Based on the premise that violence is: … a choice … it is intentional, and, … it is unacceptable

19. Benefits from advocacy • Allow for best practices and learning from others • Establish respect for self and others • Create awareness of collaboration with organizations with similar purposes • Establish a peaceful and safe environment for everyone to reach their true potential

20. Challenges to Advocacy • To be true to its principles including diversity/inclusivity • Deviation from the Vision, Mission and Principles of CariMAN • Non-involvement of members in activities • Rejection from other men and the public

21. How can men be advocates • We men need to examine ourselves and our beliefs • We men need to review and understand our values and attitudes • We men must be responsible and accountable for our actions and non-actions • We men must acknowledge that male dominance and unhealthy manhood are the basis for Violence Against Women

22. How can men be advocates (cont’) • We men must respond to the call to form or join an groups or organizations that advocate the end of all forms of violence • We men must teach our boys respect and tolerance • We men must be role models • Let spirituality be an important aspect of life • We men to understand the reason for change

23. My Question for Self Reflection • What action can I ……................ take to be an effective advocate to bring about the desired change for a peaceful, non-violent self, family, community, Bahamas, Caribbean Region, and world?

24. Thank you For your welcome, participation and the resolve to be an active Advocate