Men for Equality: A fight to End Violence against Women & Girls through Positive Masculinity

Modou Lamin Davies

The Gambian Society is marred by Patriarchy, where a male child is loved and treated differently than a female Child because the burden of the continuance of the family name lies on the shoulders of a male Child.

The entrenchment of Patriarchy in our society has led to unending violence of all forms against Women and Girls. Men for Equality, Formerly Called He4She Gambia, since its establishment in 2014, has been spearheading campaigns and activities geared towards breaking the chains of patriarchy and promoting positive masculinity to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls in the Gambia.

In an Interview with the Coordinator of Men for Equality, Modou Lamin Davies, recently, he said: “The reason we decided to set up Men for Equality, is that if you look at research and stories in the Gambia, you would realize that men are the biggest perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence and women are the biggest survivors and victims of violence.”

He said it is also the fact that men are the traditional and religious gatekeepers in the Gambia, and as such, we need men to come out and be at the forefront of the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and instead of being perpetrators, men can be advocates against SGBV.

On ending Intimate partner violence, he said it is a form of violence that takes place in domestic settings and as such, it is difficult because, in most cases, these cases are not reported due to the “maslaha” syndrome and people are asked not to discuss or it is addressed at the home setting.

He added that at their level, they try to do what they called Gender Transformative Approaches to development to promote positive masculinity. He said, “Instead of using your masculinity as a man to perpetrate violence against a woman or a girl, how about channelling it to supporting women and girls in your life?”

He said instead of a man beating, and yelling at a woman, they can help with the domestic chores like doing the dishes while she is cooking or taking the children to the Hospital when they are sick and their mother is busy with other stuff. He said in their activities they emphasize the need for children to grow up in an environment that is not marred with violence.

On the participation of women in Politics, He said the Gambia is a highly patriarchal society, and when a man wants to contest elections, his qualification is not questioned, but when a woman wants to contest elections, instead of focusing on her credentials, they focus on her sexuality.

He said they would question her dress code, hairstyle, and marital status, among other things. He said these are the issues they bring to the fore during their activities with politicians. He said that these are the things men see and hear from their childhood and they internalize some of these things and grow up with them.

He added that instead of men subjugating women and perpetrating violence against them by crafting messages to degrade them, how about men use their positions of power and influence to support and ensure that there is a level playing field for women and girls to thrive and excel in the political spectrum of the country?

On the involvement of men in FGM, he said, “I am puzzled by the fact that men get emotional when issues around FGM are discussed. Men get riled up over it and want to control the narrative”.

He said it still goes down to patriarchy because men think that women are not able to think or make decisions for themselves, and as such, they think that they are in a place to make decisions for them. He said in their engagements with men, they tried to make them understand that women have their minds and they can think for themselves.

He said instead of men trying to control the narrative on FGM, why don’t they let women come out and discuss these issues? He said when women speak up, instead of being judgmental towards them, they should empathize with them.

“Women are suffering from some of these issues daily but because of the fear that when they come out to talk about it, they wouldn’t be trusted, they will be judged and also for the fear of their Family Names. As men, we are just allies but FGM is a woman’s issue”, he said.

He called on Men to use their masculinity and positions of power to support and create an enabling environment for women and Girls. He said Men should ensure that instead of women being on the menu where men will dish out to them what they want, women should be at the table and participate in decision-making.

“I think it is high time that women learn the Quran and know their religion so that they can interpret these texts for themselves instead of men doing it for them in a way that suits them”, he said.

He said it is important that men, especially fathers, create an enabling environment for their girls to go to school, be educated, and be informed so that they can think for themselves and make decisions that affect their lives.

 Author: Halimatou Ceesay