Calling on Men and Boys

Calling men and boys

Zonta calls on men and boys to be more aware of how patriarchy affects our society.

Patriarchy

Patriarchy, according to the Oxford dictionary, is a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it. 

Argentinian activist Juan Pablo Poli says we all need to promote and fight for intersectional approaches that include women and LGBT people in all their diversity. Being gender sensitive means having the ability to acknowledge and recognise that gender differences, issues and equalities do exist in our society.

Gender sensitivity

"That is the only way to achieve comprehensive measures. In my opinion, the main challenge is reaching those men who are not gender sensitive. Working with men sometimes becomes a vicious circle, where we are always the same men raising or questioning patriarchal values. Show men how patriarchy affects not only women and LGBT people, but it also affects them, for example, when expressing their emotions or in health matters. Then patriarchy is recognised as negative for all people, so the change is favoured."

During the 16 Days of Activism, Zonta is raising awareness of issues relating to gender-based violence. Learn more about these issues by reading our previous 16 Days of Activism blog articles.

Day 1: What is the 16 Days of Activism
Day 2: Why doesn't she just leave him?
Day 3: Climate Justice
Day 4: How digitisation is creating more problems?
Day 5: Supporting Survivors
Day 6: Bystander Action

Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash