Men involvement in discussions around gender equity and equality in sociopolitical spaces has significantly improved after successful CYDT`s efforts in Gwanda and Bulilima Districts.
Realizing that gender stereotypes and cultural barriers continue to block women participation and progression in civic processes, CYDT has been implementing He4She campaigns that sought to sensitize and train young men on the importance of their involvement in fighting-off barriers limiting women participation.
The organisation has also trained young men on ways to successfully team up with women in speaking against cultural norms that tend to affect women`s confidence to participate in electoral processes.
During the He4She campaign, men were taught that, when they are actively involved in programs that seek to empower women, progress can be swiftly realised. Selected presenters of CYDT spoke against individualistic models as a strategy to improve women participation, noting that such approaches give birth to the misconception that “these are women issues” which automatically excludes men from getting involved.
It was highlighted that without the support of men who should be viewed as important stakeholders in women participation initiatives, the prospects of progressing towards ending gender disparities were limitedly low.
As a result of the He4She awareness and training programs, a group of committed males have devoted themselves to supporting women empowerment by speaking publicly about the need to involve women in all sociopolitical levels. Using phrases like “What Men can Do, Women can also Do”, male support has attracted the attention of community leaders who have promised these male allies that they will be working on reviewing structures known for limiting women participation. This has seen a number of young women taking a bold step to register to vote and participate in civic processes.
Operating under the theme “Women Must Lead & Encouraged”, these male allies have become catalysts for change; challenging gender disparities in institutional structures while also condemning their fellow men that continue to use cultural barriers that limits women involvement and participation. They hope their contributions will help many young women register to vote and participate in next year`s elections.
While they are committed to ensure that women`s rights are realised, these male associates challenged women to also embrace the support of men in the creation and building of a community that fully recognises women potential.
CYDT is pleased to see men having the courage to speak against women suffrage in communities that are heavily influenced by cultural myths and norms that usually ridicule men trying to support women empowerment.
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