European Women's Voice, Autumn 2011

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AUTUMN 2011

European Women’s Voice

The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) is the largest umbrella organisation of women’s associations in the European Union (EU), working to promote women’s rights and equality between women and men. EWL membership extends to organisations in all 27 EU member states and three of the candidate countries, as well as to 20 European-wide bodies, representing a total of more than 2000 organisations.

In this issue The other half of gender: feminism ••• and men’s role in achieving equality The EWL’s seminar on men and feminism: new paths of reflection for the women’s movement p.02 ••• Men and feminism: the state of equality today p.04 •••

From public policies © ‘Féministe barbue’ by looking4poetry, Flickr to initiatives of feminist men: what Editorial: involvement of men? By Brigitte Triems, EWL President & Cécile Gréboval, EWL Secretary General p.28 In October 2011, the European Women’s would like to thank them warmly for their ••• Lobby (EWL) organised an inaugural sem- expertise, availability and efforts. inar on the topic of men and feminism, EWL Position Paper which provided a forum for reflection on The seminar could not have taken place ‘The role of men and masculinities, anti-feminism, initiatives without the support of the Institut pour of feminist men and equality policies in- l’Egalité des Femmes et des Hommes boys in achieving volving men. The aim of the seminar was (Belgium), Vleva, the liaison agency for to update ourselves on current thinking Flanders-Europe, and the European Com- gender equality’ and action concerning men’s role in the mission. We thank them for their help. p.39 struggle for gender equality, and to con- ••• sider how we can work together to bring We have tried to make this publication about a society founded upon feminist enriching and interesting. For us, the is- values. sues raised inform our work for equality between women and men and the pro- This second edition of the European motion of women’s rights in Europe. We Women’s Voice brings together the con- hope you enjoy the articles within and tributions of the speakers at the semi- that they provide stimulus for further nar and of other committed experts. We discussion!

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The EWL’s seminar on men and feminism: new paths of reflection for the women’s movement By Pierrette Pape, EWL Policy Officer and Project Coordinator It was by way of a seminar for for feminist groups and activists. In on the other, so as to eliminate the researchers and activists that the response, Valérie Lootvoet (Director risk of a takeover or a hijacking of the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) of Université des Femmes in Belgium) fundamental demands of feminism. decided to approach the question of highlighted many points which were (pro-) feminist men and their role in drawn from research with men and The contributions of Mélissa Blais and the feminist movement, as well as the women involved in gender equality Francis Dupui-Déri (both researchers at development of new public equality activism: even if men can understand the University of Quebec in Montreal) policies. masculine domination and do try highlighted the reactionary arguments to defeat it in their daily lives or developed by certain men and men’s On Saturday 22 October, in Brussels, through activism, can they really be groups in response to the advances more than 90 people benefited from involved in women’s movements won by the feminist movement over the expertise and experience of the without reproducing or benefiting the past 40 years. These masculinist EWL’s guests. Under the title, “The from wider patriarchal structures? As discourses, promoted by an anti- other half of gender: Masculinities an illustration, the example was given feminist men’s movement, call for a and men’s roles towards equality”, of the very positive image afforded to return to the “natural” order between the speakers’ contributions raised those men who display their feminism, the sexes, and accuse feminists of many pertinent questions of vital whilst women continue to experience causing various crises of masculinity importance to the women’s movement contempt or indifference when they experienced by men. Through and its promotion of equality between call for equality. looking at a supporting study on women and men in Europe. This was feminist organisations in Quebec, a breath of fresh air for EWL members It is important for women and for the participants in the seminar were as they were afforded time both (pro-) feminist men alike, whether shown the diversity of anti-feminist to reflect upon and to share their they are researchers or activists, attacks and the impact these had on own experiences, returning to their to be aware of this risk and to step activists. These attacks lead activists to countries with a better understanding back from their work continuously reduce their demands and actions in of the question of the role of men in in order to evaluate the strength of anticipation of formal complaints, the achieving equality. men’s involvement and the feminist disruption of events or other forms of credentials of their projects. A verbal, physical or symbolic violence. Can men speak for women? constant back-and-forth must be established between the real lives of The contribution of the researchers This simple question, the answer women and the women’s movement from Quebec is crucial as it improves to which may seem clear, captures on the one hand, and the public our ability to identify anti-feminist a number of fundamental issues interventions of (pro-) feminist men attacks. It also prompts feminist

2 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 organisations and activists to develop the experiences highlighted by the front and centre, tackle the structural responses so they can continue their earlier speakers show that to achieve domination with which women are actions and maintain their demands. equality requires transformation of confronted women. Collaboration One of the conclusions from this study the power imbalance, if we really with men can only be productive if it is on anti-feminist attacks is particularly want to change the structures of our faithful to this principle. important for feminist organisations: societies by imposing equality. women-only organisations seem to be more protected against certain Tomas Wetterberg (founder of the strains of anti-feminist violence, as NGO “Men for Gender Equality” Further reading: women rub shoulders less directly in Sweden) used his own personal with anti-feminists. Finally, these experience to explain how men can EWL Position Paper, The role of contributions provide valuable insight invest themselves in gender equality, men and boys in promoting gender for the critique of the new generation and can even create structures for equality, 2004 of equality policies which is based on a activism or research to help eradicate “win-win” model for men and women. masculine domination. Looking Jouni Varanka, Gender equal- at the research on masculinities, ity needs men, men need gender Is the new generation of equality he showed that many men refute equality, 2007 policies anti-feminist? traditional models of masculinity and Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs wish to construct new relationships and Health, Men and Gender This may seem like a blunt question with women, whilst developing new Equality. Policy in Finland, 2007 but it is certainly worth asking in models for young men. Following this, light of the examples presented by Matt McCormack Evans shared his Council Conclusions on Men and Pierrette Pape (Policy Officer and own experience that led him to create Gender Equality, EU, 2006 Project Coordinator at the EWL) in the project “Anti Porn Men” in the the introduction to the seminar (see UK. He used his contribution to the Francis Dupuis-Déri, Les hommes following article). seminar to present his ideas on what proféministes : compagnons de the feminist movement would have route ou faux amis, 2008 The presentation by Jouni Varanka to gain by including and working with Francis Dupuis-Déri, Nous sommes (former expert for the Gender Equality men. tous masculinistes, 2005 Unit of the Finnish Ministry for Social Affairs and Health) on Finnish equality There are many examples of wonderful Interview with Florence Montrey- policies seems to confirm the fears projects that directly involve men naud, Les vrais hommes ne paient highlighted above: new equality policy in the deconstruction of current pas pour ça, on the website Egalité, in Finland seeks to demonstrate to models of masculinities and the 2011 men the benefits they can gain from construction of an egalitarian society. gender equality measures, therefore Many projects run by men have The men who believe porn is it engages with new themes that are chosen, in particular, to address the wrong, Article in The Guardian, believed could interest “masculinists”: question of violence against women, 2010 what about the absenteeism of boys highlighting models of intervention or Publications: from school? What about violence prevention to young people in order to against men? Whilst this new deconstruct the gendered stereotypes Université des Femmes, La fabrique approach to equality policies serves and the social expectations regarding des hommes, Chronique féministe to bolster support from men, its the role of boys and girls. n°106, 2010 content poses problems in terms of feminist demands: to move towards Exercising caution regarding Mélissa Blais and Francis Dupuis- greater equality, must we sacrifice the boththe inclusion of (pro-) Déri Dir., Le mouvement mascu- structural analysis of power relations feminist men and public policy liniste au Québec. L’antiféminisme between women and men in order to démasqué, Editions du remue-mé- obtain the agreement of men? What Reflecting on these contributions, nage, 2008 type of equality are we establishing? the “take home message” is that we Christian Schiess, « Le féminisme Can we really talk about a “win-win” must remain ever vigilant in order to émancipera-t-il les hommes ? », in process if the concerns of men – who identify “masculinist” demands in Le féminisme change-t-il nos vies ?, dominate our society – are taken both public policy and in the actions Delphine Gardery Dir., 2011 into account in equal measure to of (pro-) feminist men. Whilst it is the concerns of women who remain interesting to see researchers and globally disadvantaged? Just as the activists approaching the question of Finnish expert recalled that all policies masculinities and the place of men in that implicate men must, nevertheless, the women’s movement, it remains be in line with international principles essential that strong feminist actions of the promotion of women’s rights, are defended; actions which, at the

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Men and feminism: the state of equality today

4 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 Anti-feminist attacks, initiatives from feminist men and European policies: an overview of the current challenges By Pierrette Pape, EWL Policy Officer and Project Coordinator

Did you know that in Switzerland end result. Two examples: have reached the realm of the EU last June around a hundred men institutions. In 2006, under the Finnish took part in the Second International The organisers of the Brussels Festival presidency of the EU, the Council Anti-feminist Congress? Their group of Women’s Films, which is held every adopted some Conclusions on men is called the “Interest Group Anti- September and pays tribute to women and gender equality.4 Member States feminism”, and one of their aims is directors, indicated that several official noted that, to improve the status to “eliminate feminist ideology from Belgian bodies refused to support the of women and promote equality, politics and public opinion”.1 festival because it was “too women- more attention needed to be paid to focused” and “not gender-focused how men were involved in achieving And did you know that, in his enough”. gender equality. The positive impact manifesto, Anders Behring Breivik, of gender equality for men, and for the Norwegian who killed more than And secondly, in talking about the need the wellbeing of society as a whole, 80 young Socialist activists last July, to combat stereotypes, the European also needed to be demonstrated. wrote explicitly that he wanted both Commission’s equality strategy cites to stop the Islamisation of Norway and the growing numbers of boys leaving In the European Commission’s to defend the traditional role of men school before getting a qualification, gender equality strategy, which I in society?2 and illiteracy rates among boys. have just mentioned, the Commission These, it would appear, are the announced that it was going to study Researchers into masculinities consequences of sexist stereotyping the role of men in achieving equality. have already demonstrated the in education: the Commission Many European and international links between the far right, or does not give any examples of projects also study men’s role: conservatism, and misogyny. In discrimination against girls. Of course handbooks are appearing on how to Breivik’s case, feminists are accused it is crucial to eradicate stereotypes work with men and boys to prevent of having weakened Europe and about men, and a particular type of violence against women, training is feminised the European male, who, masculinity – but putting these kinds being provided, and networks like if we are to believe Islamophobic of examples forward can also lead to White Ribbon and MenEngage are conspiracy theories, is now easy prey counterproductive interpretations being set up.5 for “Muslim colonisation”. With our unless we set the figures in the overall current economic and social crisis, context of gender inequalities. We welcome these kinds of projects anti-feminist discourses are being but are also careful to ensure that given an even greater airing: according We are also seeing some slippage in these developments do not promote to the Swiss activists I mentioned, it’s the definition of gender equality as new equality policies with a subtle time to get back to traditional gender a concept: instead of discrimination anti-feminist tinge. roles, time for men to recover their against women in a patriarchal society status and authority so that they can being highlighted, we now have Along with this, we’re seeing the restore social harmony at last. policies tending to put men’s rights in emergence of new initiatives that give opposition to women’s, for example in men a voice and base their activities In parallel with these quite radical the field of health. The EWL identified on feminist values. For example, antifeminist attacks we are seeing a this trend back in 2004 already, in its Florence Montreynaud, a historian development that is more subtle, and position paper on the role of men and and feminist, is currently working on more institutional, but has the same boys.3 a project entitled “Real men don’t pay

1 In Axelle, No. 142, October 2011, The issue of men’s involvement 4 http://eu2006.fi/NEWS_ p.8, http://www.axellemag.be/fr/ in achieving equality seems to AND_DOCUMENTS/CONCLUSIONS/ 2 In ‘Anti-feminism as a political VKO48/EN_GB/1164987131570/_ device’, Solveig Bergman, NIKK Magazine FILES/76348606395122256/DEFAULT/91959. (Magazine of the Nordic Gender Institute), 3 Available here: http:// PDF 2.2011, p.31, http://issuu.com/nikk---nordic- www.womenlobby.org/spip. 5 http://www.whiteribbon.ca/, http:// gender-institute/docs/nikk_2-11_webb php?article109&lang=en www.menengage.org/ 5 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

for ‘it’”.6 She decided to look at the majority of men who refuse to pay for an act of prostitution, either because they can’t, on account of their upbringing or self-esteem, because they don’t feel like it, for reasons to do with their concept of sexuality, or because they don’t wish to, for philosophical or political reasons. In her view, it is by giving a voice to these men we that can attain equality together.

More and more men are getting involved in feminist movements. Organisations based on gender diversity are being set up, like the Laboratoire pour l’Égalité in France and UK Feminista in Britain.7 In response to calls from feminist organisations, men are joining their struggle: many male politicians support women’s rights and equality; for example, several male politicians are putting across the message of the Irish anti-prostitution project, Turn Off the Red Light.8 Some are even setting up their own feminist organisation: in this issue of European Women’s Voice, you will discover two examples, and there are also networks of feminist men in Spain, in France and in Sweden, for example.9

This approach leads us to think in more practical terms about how we should involve men and work together with male researchers and activists who have developed projects on equality, based on strong or not-so- strong strong feminist values.

6 http://www.egalite-infos. fr/2011/07/21/les-vrais-hommes-ne-paient- pas-pour-ca/ 7 http://laboratoiredelegalite. wordpress.com/, http://ukfeminista.org.uk/ 8 http://www.turnofftheredlight.ie/ 9 In France: http://petitpaspourlhomme. blogspot.com/ or http://www. ladominationmasculine.net/petition- des-hommes.html; in Spain: http:// hombresporlaigualdad.blogspot.com/; in Sweden: http://www.mfj.se/ 6 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

Brown ends, men are “lost in the emergence as primary breadwinner An earlier and longer version wilderness… lost in bitterness… lost, is a seismic shift, shaking some of this essay was published in lost,” his voice trailing off in confusion men’s identities to their foundations. The Shriver Report: A Woman’s and despair. Coupled with the equally seismic shift Nation Changes Everything (edited in the structure of the workplace, by Heather Boushey and Ann This essay is about that wilderness we see a major reason why many O’Leary). Washington: Center for 45 years later—a wilderness in which contemporary observers see a “crisis” American Progress, 2009. some men today are lost, others bitter, of masculinity—a general confusion and still others searching for new and malaise about the meaning of forms of masculinity amid what they manhood. (...) “This is a man’s world,” sang James believe is the excessive feminization Brown in 1964, with a voice both of American society and culture—not How have men responded? While defiantly assertive and painfully because of the absence of women some noisily and bitterly protest, and anguished. He starts off proudly, with a in their lives that Brown noticed but others continue to fight a rear-guard litany of men’s accomplishments: men rather, ironically, because of their action to undo women’s gains, most made the cars, the trains, the electric increased presence. At work and American men simply continue to go lights and the boats that carried the at home, in private and in public, about their lives, falling somewhere loads and took us out of the dark. women’s increasing equality has been between eager embrace of women’s Men even made the toys that children an issue to which men have had to equality and resigned acceptance. play with. But lest he encourage only respond. And among this majority of American smug self-satisfaction, Brown changes men, some interesting developments course at the end of the song. “But If women’s entry into the labor force are now clear. These men by and large it wouldn’t be nothing… without a stirred up men’s ability to anchor their are closer to their wives and children woman or a girl.” Without women, identity as family provider, women’s and happier for the effort (as are their

7 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 families), and they are healthier both furious response. “I will have none of men hit women. Women concerned physically and mentally. And yes, they the nonsense about oppressed and about sexual assault? “The way young have more sex. (...) victimized women; no responsibility women dress in the spring constitutes for the condition of women… none a sexual assault upon every male I’ll try to map a range of men’s of the guilt or self-loathing that within eyesight of them,” wrote one responses, but the evidence is is traditionally used to keep men retired professor. Women seek to clear that most American men are functioning in harness,” fulminates protect their right to choose? Attempt quietly acquiescing to these changes, Richard Haddad, a champion of men’s to establish a “man’s right to choose,” with sweeping implications for our rights.1 (...) and then prevent a woman from economy and our nation. (...) aborting “his” child while ignoring Not long ago, I appeared on a any responsibility for the child once Lost in the bitterness television talk show opposite three born. Or how about women in the such “angry white males” who workplace campaigning against wage To some men, women’s entry into felt they had been the victims of discrimination or sexual harassment? the public arena is experienced not workplace discrimination. They were Insist that the wage gap favors women as “entry” but as “invasion.” The men in their late twenties and early thirties. and that sexual harassment is actually who today oppose women’s entry The show’s title, no doubt to entice a an expression of women’s sexual into firehouses and police stations, large potential audience, was “A Black power.2 (...) military combat units, and corporate Woman Stole My Job.” Each of the boardrooms echo those who opposed men described how they were passed In the eyes of these anti-feminist their entry into the Citadel and Virginia over for jobs or promotions for which men’s rights groups, it’s no longer a Military Institute, the Augusta Country they believed themselves qualified. man’s world. They share this report’s Club, and the locker room a decade perception that America has become a ago—men who themselves echoed Then it was my turn to respond. I said woman’s nation. And, in their view, it’s those who opposed women’s right I had one question about one word time to take it back. to vote, join a union, serve on a jury, in the title of the show. I asked them drive a car, or enter the workforce a about the word “my.” Where did The “masculinists” century ago. they get the idea it was “their” job? Why wasn’t the show called “A Black To other men, women’s increased Demographically, they range from Woman Got a Job” or “A Black Woman empowerment only highlights the loss younger working-class guys— Got the Job”? These men felt the job of masculine vigor among American firefighters and factory workers was “theirs” because they felt entitled men. Their response was not to who sense greater competition for to it, and when some other person (a attempt to roll back women’s gains jobs—to middle-class, middle-aged black female) got the job, that person but rather to return to a nostalgic corporate types who believe that the was really taking what was “rightfully” notion of masculinity, one rooted in politics of women’s entry (affirmative theirs. ostensibly natural, primal, sacred, action, an end to wage discrimination, or mythic qualities. If women have comparable worth) hurt them. Both That sense of entitlement—and invaded all the previously all-male groups mourn the loss of the casual entitlement thwarted—is what lies institutions, men needed to find, as locker-room frivolity that marked the beneath the surface of these men’s Virginia Woolf might have put it, “a all-male workplace, and are afraid of, resistance to women’s equality. room of their own”—an all-male space and angry about, sexual harassment These men employ what we might where men can relax with other men, guidelines, which they regard as call a “wind chill” theory of gender free from the constant policing that the Politically Correct police. Most politics: It doesn’t matter what the accompanies political correctness, and are white, and offer the same dire temperature actually is, it matters only retrieve their inner sense of their own predictions—loss of camaraderie and how it feels. Gender equality is felt to masculinity, in the presence of other casual cohesiveness—that whites be a zero-sum game: If women win, men. For these “masculinists,” gender feared 40 years ago about integration. men lose. And to hear them tell it, politics are a project of reclamation, men are losing. (...) restoration, and retrieval—not of Men who oppose women’s equality some lost power over women, but of today often express a defensive Sometimes, this leads to some dizzying a lost sense of internal efficacy and resistance. They’re interested in reversals of both conventional wisdom sense of power. (...) preserving certain arenas as all-male and common sense. Are feminists havens. Women, we might be told, concerned about domestic violence? For masculinists, power is not about are not qualified for the positions they Proclaim “gender symmetry,” and then economic or political aggregates or seek; they are not strong enough, not argue that women hit men as much as different groups’ access to resources. tough enough, not [fill in the blank] Nor is it to be measured by comparing 1 Richard Haddad, “Feminism has enough to make the grade. This Little Relevance for Men.” In Keith Thompson, defensive resistance lies close to the ed., To Be a Man: In Search of the Deep 2 Warren Farrell, The Myth of Male surface; a gentle scratch can elicit a Masculine (Los Angeles: Jeremy Tarcher, 1991), Power (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1993), p. 100. pp. 298, 301. 8 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 wages or representatives on corporate such as the re-segregation of schools suggesting that you ask for your role boards or legislative bodies. Rather, into single-sex classes, ostensibly back. I’m urging you to take it back... power is an interior experience, a to promote boys’ engagement with There can be no compromise here. If sense of dynamic energy. As a result, education, but often to set back you’re going to lead you must lead.3” they tend not to engage with policy decades of feminist efforts to make (...) initiatives designed to push women classrooms and athletic fields more back. At their best, they are indifferent equal. (These anti-feminists are not To the new masculinists, it may no to women’s collective experience; to be confused with those popular longer be a man’s world, but they’d they may even take inspiration from voices in minority communities — like, at least, to find small pockets women’s empowerment. They seek backed by many policy analysts — all of all-male purity in which they can, instead to combat their sense of of whom are engaged with the crisis again, be men among men. emasculation not with impotent facing many minority boys in school, rage against feminized institutions, which is both real and serious.) For Fatherhood as politics but rather by restoring their sense of these mostly white masculinists, their power in reclaiming masculine myths. zeal to support fathers’ connection After enumerating men’s with family life and especially with the accomplishments in the workplace in Other guys find that lost all-male experience of fatherhood often draws his hit song, James Brown shifts his Eden in cyberspace. While cinematic them into “angry dad” campaigns tone to a softer, more yearning, and and pornographic fantasies of men’s against custody or divorce laws, in plaintive tone. “Man thinks about a power have long been with us, the which men are said to be the victims little baby girl, and a baby boy/ Man proliferation of video and computer of reverse discrimination. makes them happy, cause man makes games in which avatars wreak havoc them toys.” Here Brown signals the on women, gays, and other “others” is The most interesting arenas of other defining feature of American still somewhat shocking. For significant contemporary masculinism, however, manhood: fatherhood. After all, if numbers of younger men, remote are in some of America’s churches. (...) one’s identity is wrapped up in being corners of cyberspace are the newest In return for men keeping their a family provider, one has to have a incarnation of the Little Rascals’ “He- promises to be faithful husbands, family to provide for. Man Woman Haters Club,” the tree devoted fathers, and general all- house with the sign that says “No around good men, the movement’s In the 21st century, reconnecting men Gurls Allowed.” “bible,” “The Seven Promises of a to family life is politicized terrain, Promise Keeper,” suggests that men filled with moral urgency, legalistic These types of masculinists tend to deal with women this way: “[S]it down outrage, and social movements. Some rely on archaic notions of the essential, with your wife and say ‘Honey I’ve advocates of the “new fatherhood” natural, and binary masculine and made a terrible mistake. I’ve given 3 Tony Evans, “Reclaiming Your feminine. As a result, they may you my role in leading this family and Manhood.” In Al Janssen ed., The Seven become momentarily enamored I forced you to take my place. Now Promises of a Promise Keeper (Colorado Springs, CO: Focus on the Family Publishing, with anti-feminist policy initiatives, I must reclaim that role...’ I’m not 1994), pp. 79–80.

9 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 paint with far broader strokes than men themselves. For other men, But one consequence of current simply enabling married couples to mostly white and middle class, the custody arrangements is paternal better balance work and family. David stroke of the pen finalizing divorce withdrawal. Whether this is because Blankenhorn’s Fatherless America turns hordes of doting daddies into the father is bereft about losing credited absent fathers with causing furious fathers who feel aggrieved by regular contact with his children, or myriad social problems, ranging a process they believe denies them because once the marital bond is from juvenile delinquency, drug the access to their children to which severed he considers himself to have taking, sexual irresponsibility, crime they feel entitled. (...) escaped from a conflict-ridden family and violence to unemployment. situation, it appears that many men “Boys raised by traditionally Fathers’ rights groups use a language “see parenting and marriage as part masculine fathers generally do not of equality to exact their revenge of the same bargain—a package deal,” commit crimes,” Blankenhorn adds. against their ex-wives, their ex-wives’ write sociologists Frank Furstenberg “Fatherless boys commit crimes.”4 lawyers, and the entire legal system, and Andrew Cherlin. “It is as if they His work was a catalog of specious demanding mandatory joint custody stop being fathers as soon as the correlations masquerading as causal and an end to alimony and child marriage is over.”6 arguments, but it struck a nerve about support payments. “Society cannot men’s responsibility, or lack thereof. take away a father’s right to his In one nationally representative children and expect him to cheerfully sample of 11-to-16-year-old children With divorce so common, one arena in pay child support,” writes one activist. living with their mothers, almost which fatherhood has become highly “Society cannot expect a father to half had not seen their fathers in politicized is during and after divorce. make enough money to support two the previous 12 months. Indeed, we Many of the organizations promoting separate households. Society cannot see a widespread “masculinization involved “fatherhood responsibility,” afford to support mothers who choose of irresponsibility”—the refusal of especially in communities of color, not to work.”5 Fathers must have fathers to provide economically seek to keep men engaged in family equal rights—the right to custody and for their children, which has led to life because it’s good for the children, the right to financial freedom without the “feminization of poverty,” with good for women, and good for the burdensome alimony and child excruciatingly high poverty among support. (...) 4 David Blankenhorn, Fatherless 6 Frank Furstenberg and Andrew America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social 5 Jon Conine, Fathers’ Rights: The Cherlin, Divided Families: What Happens to Problem (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Sourcebook for Dealing with the Child Support Children When Parents Part (Cambridge, 1995). System (New York: Walker, 1989), p. 2. MA: Harvard University Press, 1994), p. 38.

10 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 single-mother families. income. Most American men subscribe housework, “husbands of working to a general “ethical imperative” and wives are spending more time in the What predicts continued paternal see women’s equality as right, just, family than in the past.” In 1924, 10 involvement in their children’s lives and fair. They just don’t think it has all percent of working-class women said after a divorce is the quality of the that much to do with them as men.8 their husbands spent “no time” doing relationship between the ex-spouses housework; today that percentage prior to the divorce. But it does. As I will show below, is less than 2 percent. Between the when fatherhood is transformed mid-1960s and the mid-1970s, men’s This masculinizaton of irresponsibility from a political cause to a personal household labor increased from five to is compounded by class and race. experience, from an ideological seven hours per week, while women’s Poorer communities desperately position or an existential state of being share decreased by about five hours, need child support programs to to a set of concrete practices, men’s from 27 hours to 22 hours per week.10 enable and assist fathers in staying lives are dramatically improved. As are (...) connected. Well-documented racial their children’s. (...) disparities in enforcement of child Reasonable, since they’ve defined support laws create a perception that This change is more pronounced the housework as “her” domain. But some fathers are significantly more younger the respondent. Just over a when both work full-time outside the irresponsible, creating (or enabling) third of “Millennial” employees who home, the wife does 28 hours and the very dynamics they are supposed were 28 or younger in 2008 support the husband does 16.11 This is four to remedy. Take just one example. In that traditional family model today, times the amount of housework that Dane County, Wisconsin, arrest rates while slightly more than half (53 Japanese men do, but only two-thirds for African Americans for nonpayment percent) of mature workers (63 and of the housework that Swedish men of child support are about 35 times older in 2008) support it—though 90 do.12 (...) those of white residents. Nearly one in percent of mature workers subscribed two of those arrested for this reason to the conventional model in 1977. Housework aside, when it comes were African Americans in a county And while 70 percent of men in to being fathers, men are evidently whose African American population in dual-career couples still subscribed willing to do more. A poll in Newsweek 2000 was 4 percent of the total county to the more conventional model in magazine found that 55 percent of population.7 1977, only about 37 percent of them fathers say that being a parent is more subscribe to that today.9 important to them than it was to Found, not lost their fathers, and 70 percent say they While most American men’s spend more time with their children The anti-feminists may shout loudest, participation in family life, that is than their fathers spent with them. and the new masculinists may be the doing housework and child care, tends What’s more, they are actually doing most mediagenic of men’s responses to be expressed by two two-word it. According to the 2008 study by to increased gender equality, but phrases—men “help out” and “pitch the Families and Work Institute, the they represent only a small fraction in”—men’s share of housework and amount of time fathers spend with of American men. The largest, if least especially child care has also increased their children under the age of 13 acknowledged, response to women’s significantly in the past few decades. on workdays has increased from two equality is the quiet acceptance of Men are both more likely to do more hours a day in 1977 to three hours gender equality at both the public and housework, and also more likely to a day in 2008—an increase of 50 private level. In the public sphere, the hug their children and tell them that percent. Women’s rate has remained majority of American men support they love them, than in previous constant over that 30-year period, wage equality, comparable worth, decades. It took several decades for at 3.8 hours per workday. Millennial women’s candidacies for public office. the norm to be a dual-career couple; it fathers spend 4.3 hours per workday will take several more decades before (their wives spend five hours). Men On the domestic front, surveys the norm is also a “dual-carer” couple. are not merely walking their walk; consistently show “substantial they almost seem to be jogging it.13 (...) and persistent” long-term trends The average father today spends increasing the endorsement of gender three hours a day on the weekend 10 Randall Collins and Scott Coltrane, equality in families. With only modest with his family, up significantly from Sociology of Marriage and the Family: Gender, Love and Property (4th edition) attitudinal adjustment, most American estimates in earlier decades. While (Chicago, IL: Nelson-Hall, 1995), p. 378. men have adapted to the dual-career women still do the majority of routine 11 Lisa Belkin, “When Mom and Dad couple model that now characterizes Share it All,” The New York Times Magazine, 8 Arland Thornton and Linda Young- June 15, 2008, p. 47. most marriages. Some are even DeMarco, “Four Decades of Trends in Attitudes 12 Almudena Sevilla-Sanz, “Household delighted to have the additional family Toward Family Issues in the United States: The Division of Labor and Cross-Country 1960s through the 1990s,” Journal of Marriage Differences in Household Formation Rates.” 7 “The Effect of Child Support and and Family 63 (4) (2001): 1009–1037. Working Paper 325 (University of Oxford Criminal Justice Systems on Low-Income 9 Ellen Galinsky, Kerstin Aumann and Department of Economics, May 2007). Noncustodial Parents,” available at http:// James T. Bond, “Times Are Changing: Gender 13 Jerry Adler, “Building a Better Dad,” www.cffpp.org/publications/effect_child. and Generation at Work and at Home” (New Newsweek, June 17, 1996; Tamar Lewin, html#coopreq (last accessed August 2009). York: Families and Work Institute, 2008), p. 11. “Workers of Both Sexes Make Trade-Offs for 11 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

Men’s increased participation in child see increased gender equality as • Most men are “apolitically care has its challenges, of course. a dangerous reversal of traditional accepting” of the new status quo, Men are reporting significantly higher gender arrangements, most men are but there needs to be public space to levels of work-family conflict than going along for a rather apolitical ride, develop a politically forward-thinking they did 30 years ago (and their rates seeing neither danger nor opportunity. agenda where men and women now surpass women’s). Three of five They’re doing more housework and together can champion the reforms fathers in dual-earner couples report child care, supporting their wives’ presented throughout this report. significant work-family conflict, up career aspirations, and sharing the Men need to help create this public from just over a third (35 percent) in decision-making about family life space, not rely on women to do so. 1977.14 and career trajectories, not because Men need to speak out in the public of some ideological commitment sphere as fathers and partners, just as What’s more, with men’s child care to feminism, but because of a more women have embraced their role as participation increasing so much faster commonplace commitment to their workers in their homes. than their housework, a dangerous families and loved ones. disequilibrium is developing in which • As a result, both men and women dad is becoming the “fun parent.” He In a sense, they know the fix is already both need the kinds of support that takes the kids to the park and plays in. Women are in the labor force—and makes it possible to have dual-earner, soccer with them; she stays home. every other public arena—to stay. dual-carer families, but these issues “What a great time we had with So the choice for men is how we will are most often misperceived as dad!” the kids announce as they burst relate to this transformation. Will we “women’s issues” in Washington and through the kitchen door to a lunch be dragged kicking and screaming statehouses around the nation. Men that mom prepared while also folding into the future? Flee to some male- need family-friendly policies, including the laundry and vacuuming the living only preserve, circle the masculine on-site child care, health care reform, room. (...) wagons, and regroup? Or instead, flexible working hours, and parental will the majority of us who are now leave so that they can have the sorts When men share housework and somewhere between eager embrace of relationships they say they want to child care, it turns out, their wives are and resigned acceptance see instead have. happier. This is intuitively obvious. the opportunity for the “enthusiastic Historically, working mothers embrace” of gender equality? • Policymakers need to support the reported higher levels of self-esteem choices of the majority of men who and lower levels of depression than Chances are we will—not only because are pursuing gender equality within full-time housewives. Yet they also it is inevitable (which it is) and not just their homes. Men today are nearly reported lower levels of marital because it’s right and just and fair as likely as women to take time off satisfaction than do their husbands, (which it is). We will because we also from work to care for ailing family who are happier than the husbands see that men who embrace equality members, but men remain less likely of traditional housewives. This was will live happier, healthier lives, lives to take time off to bond with a new because under such arrangements, animated by love and connection child. Policies that redefine what it women’s workload increased at home, with our wives, our partners, our means to be a good provider and a while the men benefited by having children, and our friends. And so will good citizen should encourage men almost the same amount of work the children of these and most other and women to be both breadwinner done for them at home and having men, who grow up with working and caretaker in their families. their standard of living buttressed by mothers—and have sisters, friends, an additional income.15 (...) and girlfriends who expect to be equal Becoming a woman’s nation can be a at work and at home. vast improvement for everyone over remaining a man’s world. Gender “Nothing without a woman or a Men who have renegotiated a more equality is not a zero-sum game, but girl” gender-equitable path forward rather win-win. in their lives and their work have There’s an old adage that the Chinese reaped significant benefits, yet many character for “crisis” is a combination men continue to struggle with lost of the characters for “danger” and incomes, lost breadwinner status, “opportunity.” While some men and downward economic mobility that threatens their ability to see Family, Study Shows,” The New York Times, women’s progress for what it is. There October 29, 1995, p. 25; Galinsky and others, “Times Are Changing,” p. 14. is a role for government in helping 14 Galinsky and others, “Times Are all men understand there is a clear Changing,” p. 18. path forward where masculinity and 15 Arlie Hochschild, The Second Shift (New York: Penguin Books, 2003); Paul Amato gender equality are complementary, and Alan Booth, “Changes in Gender Role not adversarial: Attitudes and Perceived Marital Quality,” American Sociological Review 60 (1) (1995). 12 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 The masks of anti-feminism: “masculinity in crisis”, “masculinism” and “liberal pro-feminism” By Mélissa Blais and Francis Dupuis-Déri, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Canada* © Sung Sook, Flickr

In the West, the conventional wisdom addition, men have easy access to the feminism are challenged. In several has it that women’s freedom and services provided by the sex industry, countries, including Canada, the equality have been achieved and pornography and prostitution – United States, Britain, Germany, that “feminism has gone too far”. economic sectors controlled primarily Belgium and France, the challenge In reality, however, it is mostly men by men who exploit women to satisfy comes in the form of a social who head up the most prestigious men’s desire for pleasure. In short, movement: anti-feminism. In the and powerful institutions (States, despite all the mobilising and progress collective imagination and in public armies and police forces, large private by feminists in the West, women’s discourse, far from recognising that companies, media firms, sports teams, exploitation and oppression are still anti-feminism is not the exclusive churches, mosques and synagogues, live issues. preserve of immigrant men, it is and universities, for example, not to often associated with religious forces, mention mafias and various criminal Even so, this obvious fact is often especially Islam. Linking anti-feminism networks). Overall, men still have denied, while the achievements of with Islam plays straight into the hands more money than women, occupy of Islamophobia, without necessarily Montréal (UQAM). She has published an 2 better-paid positions (and thus receive analysis of the media debates on the massacre advancing the interests of women. corresponding welfare benefits and at the École polytechnique de Montréal Catholics and Protestants play their retirement pensions), and spend (« J’haïs les féministes !» : Le 6 décembre 1989 part too, especially when mobilising et ses suites, éditions du Remue-ménage, less time and energy than women 2009). Francis Dupuis-Déri is a political science against the right to abortion. This on household chores and parental professor and head of the Interdisciplinary perception of anti-feminism as being tasks and on the psychological and Research Group on Anti-feminism (Groupe primarily a religious phenomenon interdisciplinaire de recherche sur physical care of others. They are less l’antiféminisme – GIRAF) at the Institute for exonerates the secular “white” at risk than women of being attacked Feminist Research and Study (Institut de man, as it is the “others” who are by someone of the opposite sex, recherches et d’études féministes – IREF) at problematic, i.e., those activists whose UQAM. Together with Mélissa Blais he edited whereas in Quebec between three the collective work entitled Le mouvement religious motivation is presented as and five times more women than men masculiniste au Québec : L’antiféminisme being pre-modern or anti-modern. are victims of marital homicide.1 In démasqué (éditions du Remue-ménage, 2008). They published on the same subject: “Masculinism and the antifeminist And yet, among intellectuals, it is * This text draws on presentations given countermovement”, Social Movement Studies, generally secular “white” men who at the seminar entitled “The other half vol. 11, no. 1, January 2012. of gender – Masculinities and men’s role 1 National Public Health towards equality”, organised by the European Institute, http://www.inspq.qc.ca/ 2 Christine Delphy, “Antisexisme ou Women’s Lobby in Brussels in October 2011. violenceconjugale/statistiques/statshomicide. antiracisme ? Un faux dilemme”, in C. Delphy, Mélissa Blais is a lecturer and PhD candidate asp?id=32#prevalence (accessed on 17 Classer, dominer : Qui sont les “autres” ?, in sociology at the Université du Québec à October 2011). Paris, La Fabrique, 2010. 13 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 assert that men are the victims of partnership with L’R des centres de up city buildings and unfurl banners. women and feminists. This “men in femmes du Québec (which has over a In Quebec, one representative of crisis” discourse is the ideological hundred centres in the province), we Fathers-4-Justice took a legal action cornerstone of an insidious form of ourselves carried out a study which (which he eventually lost) against a anti-feminism – masculinism. The confirmed that women’s organisations feminist journalist from À Babord ! “crisis of masculinity” is highly effective are facing a range of different types magazine, while a feminist academic in delegitimising feminism (which has of attack, including death threats, in Quebec was prosecuted by a group gone too far), guilt-tripping women intimidation over the phone or by of fathers in British Colombia (Wiebe (who take up too much room) and email, being publicly discredited in v. Bouchard, 2008 BCSC 249), reducing mobilising resources for men, even the media or on internet websites, the her to silence. A representative of though they already exert majority disruption of feminist events, threats Fathers-4-Justice also lodged an control on society’s most influential of prosecution, actual prosecution, application for an injunction against institutions and on the majority of and administrative harrassment – a government campaign to prevent public and private resources. not to mention demonstrations, sexual attacks, on the pretext that it vigilantes and banners displayed on showed men in a bad light (the judge Anti-feminism goes on the city buildings.4 dismissed the case). offensive It is not always possible for those As mentioned, Quebec is not the Let us take the example of Quebec, responding to these surveys to identify only battleground for anti-feminists. depicted a few years ago as “the closest their adversaries, or to know whether In Great Britain many agitators – thing to a feminist paradise on earth!” they’re acting independently or are some explicitly affiliated to groups of by Florence Montreynaud, the French affiliated to a campaigning group. That separated and divorced fathers, some feminist who edited a 20th-century said, the network of separated and not – disrupted a sitting of parliament women’s encyclopaedia (Le XXe siècle divorced men (joined by those looking and sprinkled prime minister Tony des femmes). A paradise maybe, but for a sympathetic ear, advice and legal Blair with mauve powder. They also a paradise depicted as hell by men services) does seem to be a hotbed of unfurled banners, demonstrated in campaigning in organisations for the anti-feminist agitators. This affiliation is the street and threw eggs at police “rights” of fathers. Surveys carried out sometimes explicit, as when members officers, occupied the roof of the in Quebec among representatives of of the Fathers-4-Justice group family justice minister’s home and the women’s movement have shown, disguise themselves as superheroes even discussed the possibility of moreover, that a majority of them (Batman, Spiderman, etc.) and climb kidnapping the prime minister’s son.5 regard anti-feminism as a serious 4 The study was based on interviews problem. In 2007 some thirty women’s with 15 representatives of the Quebec groups said they had been the target women’s movement. The research was of anti-feminist activities.3 In 2010, conducted in 2010-11 with financial assistance 5 BBC, “Police aware of ‘Leo from the Protocole UQAM/Relais-femmes kidnapping plot’”, 18 January 2006 managed by the Service aux collectivités, of (website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ 3 Émilie St-Pierre, “Lorsque des the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). uk_news/4622880.stm); BBC, “Fathers’ group actions masculinistes ciblent des féministes”, Odile Boisclair of L’R des centres and Lyne clash with police”, 18 June 2004 (website: Mélissa Blais et Francis Dupuis-Déri (dir.), Kurtzman of the Service aux collectivités http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/ Le mouvement masculiniste au Québec : helped design the project. Marie-Ève Cambell- london/3818039.stm); “Second Fathers 4 L’antiféminisme démasqué, Montréal, Remue- Binet and Stéphanie Mayer were research Justice roof-top protest at Harriet Harman’s ménage, 2008. assistants. house in a month”, Daily Mail, 9 July 2008.

14 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

And the impact on the women’s and cyclical nature of domestic men feel confused. Boys’ difficulties movement? violence, where the different phases at school are also attributed to the recur repeatedly – sometimes even influence of women and feminists Our survey in Quebec documented spiralling, if the violence escalates.8 (even though, with equal school some of the impacts of anti-feminist Furthermore, men’s taking control has results, men do better in the labour activities directly targeting the consequences for women who react market than women), as is the higher women’s movement. Women mobilise to the violence by using protective suicide rate for men than for women time, energy and sometimes money mechanisms, for example, while at (even though this is the same the to complain to the police, hire lawyers the same time being afraid of their world over, except in China). While and take new security measures husband or ex-husband at different these are real problems, close analysis (changing locks, for example). times in the cycle. reveals that complex dynamics are at Several respondents said that they work here, and that women are not censor themselves; others spoke The interviews conducted with responsible for them. For example, a of resigning from their jobs. All the respondents from the women’s number of experts agree that access same, these anti-feminist activities movement in Quebec (we are to firearms is one of the reasons for also prompt feminists to react by currently launching a similar study in a higher rate of completed suicide for mobilising politically and collectively, Europe) showed that, like a woman men than for women. It is certainly which translates into organising who is a victim of domestic violence, not feminists who are promoting conferences and workshops on the many feminists are afraid of anti- the masculinised virility associated issue, or conducting research in order feminists. Anti-feminism is perceived with firearms. As for the claim that, to understand it better. This led L’R as a real threat which sparks tension on separation or divorce, fathers are des centres de femmes du Québec to and leads feminists to be careful, to systematically deprived of custody of develop the hypothesis that feminists keep quiet, to avoid “provoking” anti- their children, in fact judges intervene react to anti-feminist threats and feminist attacks, and so on. very little, and more often than not activities in a similar way to a woman men are glad to see the mother taking subjected to domestic violence. The attack phase comes when there on the main share of responsibility Inspired by the research on anti- is an action directly targeting women for the children, which also means feminist activities, we decided to test in the movement, such as a death carrying out the vast majority of this hypothesis using the theoretical threat over the phone, an insulting household chores and parental tasks.9 framework of the “cycle of violence”.6 email, graffiti on the walls outside an organisation’s office or the disruption But presenting men as victims According to the cycle of violence of a feminist event. The woman of women and feminists arouses theory, developed by psychologist targeted, and her colleagues and empathy, and, consequently, Leonore Walker around 1980 and friends, may then feel humiliated, persuades some women (and some taken up by Quebec’s network of depressed and the victims of feminists) that they themselves are shelters for women victims of domestic injustice – and this in turn will have part of the problem. In other words, violence (Regroupement provincial consequences for their subsequent women (including some feminists) des maisons d’hébergement et de choice of discourse in public. Some can end up developing empathy for transition pour les femmes victimes women explain that, in the hope of “men in crisis”, including even their de violence conjugale), a violent man preventing anti-feminist attacks, they attackers, and can feel responsible in a relationship with a woman will “are careful” about what they say in for the attacks targeting the feminist use several different mechanisms to the media, for example. movement. These women are then take control of her. The cycle is divided ready to collaborate with men who say into four phases: the “build-up of The justification phase occurs when they want to help men, without taking tension”, “attack”, “justification” and attempts are made to persuade the time to analyse more thoroughly “honeymoon period”, or remission.7 women who have been raped that the ins and outs of their discourse on Of course, this is simplifying the they “provoked” their attacker — in masculinity/masculinities. reality, but cycle of violence is useful other words, that they are responsible in that it illustrates the overall pattern for the violence they are subjected to. A more insidious form In the case of feminists, these times 6 The cycle of violence in domestic can be when speakers in the media Women’s institutions, organisations abuse is presented by Quebec’s shelters for women victims of domestic violence justify attacks — which are sometimes and groups have always been under (Regroupement provincial des maisons fatal, as with the murder of fourteen pressure to accept men as members, d’hébergement et de transition pour femmes women on 6 December 1989 in victimes de violence conjugale) in a paper entitled La violence conjugale … C’est quoi au Montreal’s École Polytechnique — 9 For further detail, see Josianne juste ?, published in Quebec in 2006 in both and accuse feminists of having made Lavoie, “L’activisme juridique, le divorce et French and English. la garde des enfants : backlash sur les gains 7 Diane Prud’homme and Dominique essentiels du mouvement féministe”, in Bilodeau, “Violence conjugale ou chicane 8 It should be noted that this “cycle Mélissa Blais et Francis Dupuis-Déri (dir.), Le de ménage ?”, in Johanne Carbonneau (dir.), of violence” does not occur in all cases of mouvement masculiniste : L’antiféminisme Violence conjugale : des spécialistes se conjugal homicide: some of them are, in a way, démasqué, Montréal, Remue-ménage, 2008, prononcent, Montréal, Remue-ménage, 2005. unexpected. pp. 195-210. 15 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 and to take their sensitivity into that in their eyes the contemporary “socio-political orientation”.11 The account. Some men, moreover, feminist movement, as a whole, is too team questions the subsidies received present themselves as being radical. by some women’s centres,12 but it sympathetic to feminism and happy does welcome the theoretical and to reflect on the best ways of dealing The latest discovery: “liberal pro- conceptual developments of feminists with violent men, for example. feminism” from “the new generations”, especially Women’s movement representatives “reflections on intersectionality”, a and activists whose vision is clouded In Quebec, over the past few years concept developed by the African- by empathy (men are suffering too), the Masculinities & Society research American feminist Kimberlé Crenshaw, hope (men can improve), and guilt team, which comprises mainly who sought a better understanding (has feminism gone too far?) often academics specialising in social of the situation of women subjected hesitate to identify as anti-feminism work,10 has developed the label of simultaneously to different systems of manoeuvres that to us do seem anti- “liberal pro-feminism”. This, they oppression, namely, patriarchy, racism feminist, however, judging by the assert “[supports] the claims and and capitalism. This concept, put effects they have. social advancements associated [with] forward by contemporary feminism, feminist research and the women’s has been hijacked by liberal pro- Feminists have seen for themselves social movement”, as explained on the feminism – not so they can mobilise the lobbying men’s groups do in home page of the collective’s website. better in solidarity with feminism and parliamentary committees when The main distinguishing feature of this women, but in order to “understand legislative reforms concerning “pro-feminism”, however, is that it the multiple forms of oppression that the family, divorce and custody of does not mobilise at all for the benefit can affect men”!13 children are being drafted. They also of women. Liberal pro-feminism in fact see representatives of men’s groups focuses solely on men and their issues, Men remain the one and only genuine asking the government to give more including paternity, health, sexuality concern of this trend, which regards resources to men. They read reports (including homosexuality), cultural them solely from the point of view of devoted to the status of men, written diversity and violence. In a collective the suffering and oppression of which by male campaigners, psychologists work produced by this research they are allegedly the victims. These and academics. They find remarks team in 2010, not one of the sixteen “liberal pro-feminists” therefore assert that imply, more or less explicitly, that chapters is devoted to explaining that “men must cast off the constraints women and feminists manipulate or what liberal pro-feminism intends inherent in the masculine role”,14 control the public authorities to the to propose in order to help women without proposing anything to help detriment of men, and that women emancipate themselves and achieve feminists understand the exploitation have far too many resources and equality with men. While feminists and oppression of women. Admittedly privileges. Identifying some effects of are mentioned on the first page of there are chapters devoted to the work done by activists for men’s Boris Cyrulnik’s preface, it is merely domestic violence, but they address “cause”, one Belgian respondent in order to criticise them. A few pages primarily men’s needs, not women’s. explained in the preliminary interview further on it is explained that, of the The authors even take the opportunity that this was a type of “anti-feminism” “youth rebellion” in the 1960s, the to criticise feminist approaches to that was “less aggressive, but just homosexual movement and feminism, intervention which suggest that as devastating and guilt-inducing for the latter is the one that has done nothing can really change between the women, especially the more fragile most to cause a “crisis of masculinity”. sexes without an acknowledgement of of them.” She added that this kind of responsibility by men who have raped anti-feminism “even upsets women’s This pro-feminism truly is “liberal”, a woman. The approach preferred organisations, as they begin to have in the sense that it discusses social by the “liberal pro-feminists” instead doubts, and some of them even adopt relationships between the sexes from emphasises an understanding of the an ‘egalitarian’ discourse, bringing an individualist perspective: “gender, attacker as “being himself a victim of men into everything, as a way to avoid as a set of rules and norms defining the gender socialisation process” and being accused of being anti-men!” masculine and feminine identities, 11 Frédérick Gagné (dir.), Document Their confidence crumbles when, has a restrictive effect on individuals, synthèse des échanges et des discussions — over and over, they keep hearing whether men or women”, explains Journée de réflexion du 28 novembre 2008 denunciations of “radical” feminists, a summary paper following a day sur l’orientation sociopolitique de l’équipe, Masculinités et Société, 8 July 2009 (paper and even “feminazis”. This rhetoric of reflection on the research team’s published on the group’s website), p. 3. also divides the feminist movement 12 Idem, p. 19, see infra note 5. and undermines the solidarity 10 This is one of the three teams 13 Idem, p. 8 and p. 11. in the Interdisciplinary Research Center on 14 Jocelyn Lindsay, Gilles Rondeau, between women, driving some Family Violence and Violence against Women Jean-Yves Desgagné, “Bilan et perspectives du feminists to show moderation lest (CRI-VIFF) at Université Laval and Université mouvement social des hommes au Québec they should appear “extremist”. This de Montréal. The other two are called entre 1975 et 2010”, Jean-Martin Deslaurieurs, “Women, violence and vulnerability contexts” Gilles Tremblay, Sacha Genest Dufault, Daniel is a trap, as “moderate” feminism is and “Children and teenagers, violence and Blanchette, Jean-Yves Desgagnés (dir.), never valued or even clearly identified prevention”. Several publications by the CRI- Regards sur les hommes et les masculinités : in masculinist discourse, suggesting VIFF discuss women from a clearly feminist Comprendre et intervenir, Québec, Presses de perspective. l’Université Laval, 2010, p. 29. 16 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 someone who has been “alienated getting them to refute these lies.19 Further reading: from some of his human qualities”.15 Sometimes the anti-feminist counter- This approach favours an attitude “of movement sparks off a counter- Mélissa Blais, “J’haïs les welcoming and empathically accepting counter-mobilisation, as in the case féministes !” Le 6 décembre 1989 the client”,16 i.e., the violent man, and of the Coalition anti-masculiniste in et ses suites, Montréal, Remue- “an understanding, supportive attitude Quebec or Vigilance Anti-Masculiniste ménage, 2009. between client and therapist”.17 Mixte Organisée et Solidaire (VAMOS) in Belgium,20 two movements that Mélissa Blais et Francis Dupuis-Déri All this fine talk purporting to be protested against the holding of (dir.), Le mouvement masculiniste “humanist” and “pro-feminist” only the Paroles d’hommes conference au Québec : L’anti-féminisme confuses the issue and makes women in Montreal (in 2005) and Brussels démasqué, Montréal, Remue- and feminists feel guilty, while the (in 2008). Here there are some pro- ménage, 2008. masculinist discourse hits them feminist men, who do useful work by hard, and even undermines their confronting anti-feminist men. Helène Palma, “La percée de mobilising. We need only think of the la mouvance masculiniste en effects of this kind of discourse on As always, however – and even more Occident”, 2008 [http://sisyphe. women victims of male violence who, so at a time like this, when anti- org/spip.php?article2941]. having internalised the masculinist feminism has grown insidious and discourse, present at support centres presents itself as “pro-feminist” – it Francis Dupuis-Déri, “Féminisme believing that they themselves are is important for those men who are au masculin et contre-attaque responsible for the violence they aware of their privileges to confine ‘masculiniste’ au Quebec”, have been subjected to, and worrying themselves to auxiliary roles and to Mouvements, no. 31, 2004. with empathy about the fate of their practise accountability in relation attacker.18 Here too the cycle of to feminists who will validate their Francis Dupuis-Déri, “Le domestic violence and the cycle of actions. It is also vital that feminists, ‘masculinisme’ : Une histoire anti-feminist violence overlap. This for their part, should continue to meet politique du mot (en anglais et en discourse, which presents itself as in non-mixed groups, where, among français)”, Recherches féministes, “pro-feminist”, really belongs with women only, they can share their vol. 22, no. 2, 2009. the public expression of a “crisis of analyses, set their priorities and plan masculinity” discourse, justifying strategies and tactics without being Francis Dupuis-Déri, “Le discours anti-feminism and challenging the pushed off course by anti-feminists.21 de crise de la masculinité : legitimacy of feminism and its strategic L’égalité présentée comme un coût and tactical choices. pour les hommes et la réaction masculiniste”, for publication in Confronting anti-feminism: a 2012 in the collective work « Boys women’s movement by and for don’t cry ! » Économies morales de women la domination masculine, Presses de l’Université de Rennes. At other times, the feminist movement’s reaction to anti-feminism Francine Descarries, “L’anti- is to counter-attack by mobilising féminisme ‘ordinaire’”, Recherches collectively, as with the Table de féministes, vol. 18, no. 2, 2005. concertation en condition féminine de Laval (a consultation forum in Susan Faludi, Backlash: La Guerre Quebec), which has produced a paper froide contre les femmes, Paris, for a training giving women and Côté-femme, 1992. feminists advice to help them react better to anti-feminism, notably by 19 Such as the paper entitled “Paroles Josette Trat, Diane Lamoureux, féministes, controns le ressac ! Réponses au discours anti-féministe”, produced in 2005 Roland Pfefferkorn (dir.), by the Table de concertation en condition L’autonomie des femmes en 15 Pierre Turcotte, “L’aide aux hommes féminine de Laval (Quebec), accessible on their question : Anti-féminismes et en violence conjugale : Du contrôle social website. au changement personnel et social”, Jean- 20 Pierrette Pape, “Contrer le résistances en Amérique et en Martin Deslaurieurs, Gilles Tremblay, Sacha masculinisme : vaMos — une action contre la Europe, Paris, L’Harmattan, 2006. Genest Dufault, Daniel Blanchette, Jean-Yves réaction”, Chronique féministe, no. 106, 2010. Desgagnés (dir.), Regards sur les hommes et 21 Francis Dupuis-Déri, “Les hommes les masculinités : Comprendre et intervenir, proféministes : Compagnons de route ou faux Christine Bard (dir.), Un Siècle Québec, Presses de l’Université Laval, 2010, p. amis ?”, Recherches féministes, vol. 21, no. d’anti-féminisme, Paris, Fayard, 362. 1, 2008; Mélissa Blais, “Féministes radicales 1999. 16 Idem, p. 365. et hommes proféministes : l’alliance piégée”, 17 Idem, p. 358. in Francis Dupuis-Déri (dir.), Québec en 18 As Mélissa Blais witnessed on many mouvements : Idées et pratiques militantes occasions during her five years working in a contemporaines, Montreal, Lux, 2008, pp. 147- women’s shelter in Montreal. 176. 17 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 Ready tongue, high-and-mighty tone and shirt too tight: on women’s (confiscated?) words By Valérie Lootvoet, Director of Université des Femmes, Belgium*

card, nor predetermined strategies, possible to become a feminist through * This article was first nor territory, nor consensual having felt, very early on, a sense of published in Chronique representation […]”, one for which injustice associated with one’s sex, Féministe No. 106, July/ “No one can speak in its name. All experienced as a kind of calamity December 2010, Université the same, each woman can claim to which can manifest itself again, des Femmes. belong to it, however, and testify to piercingly, at any time. The sense of it. It is a movement that advances by injustice and powerlessness many It’s a difficult task, to answer a individual and collective identifications feminists speak of can have physical genuinely complex question: “Who in dialogue. A changing of forms that effects, such as a very real feeling of can speak for women?” This one has cannot, however, be summed up as being shut in, of suffocating. I shall come through the different waves of ‘the proper form’”.1 call these effects the “too-tight shirt”: feminism, an emancipation movement this is how the feminine gender can be in which access to speaking takes on This political positioning may have experienced, with measured gestures, considerable importance. Feminism emerged from a particular life repressed anger, refined language, is the “social and political movement experience that belongs, a priori, hair sensibly pulled back, legs crossed, that concerns half of humanity but more to women, as it was from modest, passive sexuality, a greater which has neither a male nor a female the oppression of women that the cultivation of the body than the founder, nor reference doctrine, nor movement emerged. Thus it is intelligence (even though physical authorised representatives, nor party, assets are doomed),2 greater trust in nor members authenticated by some 1 Collin, F. & Kaufer, I., Parcours féministe, Bruxelles, Labor, 2005, p. 7. 2 The demands made on women 18 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 other people’s judgement than their situations. is constructivist: women and men own, putting other people – their are “produced” by an upbringing, wellbeing and their interests – first. In Many women and many feminists a memory, a society. Their gender short, constantly holding back a part often say they have felt deprived of stamps its mark on their sex more or parts of themselves. a voice and of recognition of their than their sex stamps their gender. statements, which are supposed to Their gendered identities are at There is another reason, a more have less value than those of their once both fixed and moving, and objective one (which can overlap brothers, fathers, spouses or sons. what feminism tries to do is to get with the first): some people3 can Historically they have been deprived them moving more and more. But become feminist on discovering of a voice – both a political voice and the fact remains that, in everyday social science writings that recount the chance to express themselves on life, these identities are outside the the inequalities women have been the subject of their personal rights, the realm of theoretical reflections, still and still are subjected to. History exercise of which was subject to the firmly under house arrest, and that provides details of women’s struggles approval of their father or husband. this gendered bipolarisation is one to counteract misogyny in different Nowadays, there is no disputing it: of the most difficult “realities” to eras, from antiquity to the twentieth women are no longer objects, they challenge, even if one argues that century.4 The sociology of social have acquired the status of subjects. the feminine and the masculine are relationships between the sexes, No one wonders any longer whether subject to cultural variations: “Even applied in different fields, reveals or not women have a soul. But though gender is almost entirely a the discrepancy that exists between women, who are not without a social social and not biological consequence men’s and women’s salaries (between or historical memory,8 have retained of the workings of society, these are 15 and 18%, all other things being a special relationship with words and objective consequences. It is possible, equal) despite the political measures expression. of course, for a whole population introduced to reduce it, household group to be unaware of a particular chores and parental tasks mostly So I shall discuss these words. gender difference, or even to have a carried out – free of charge – by Who can speak for women? Only mistaken opinion about it, but that women,5 the different upbringing themselves? Or others – i.e., men? doesn’t mean the difference isn’t still given to girls and boys, from nursery Who has legitimacy enough to risk there […].”11 school to the treatment of adolescent it? In short, can only women speak of pathologies, acting as “gendered calls women and study their condition?9 Who can speak for women? to order”,6 and so on. Anthropology This is an issue that repeatedly divides Women! Because… reveals the “differential valence of the women and feminists. It arises in the sexes”7 that belittles women and the context of a complex debate, in the In the first place, it is possible to “invariants” of the framework of male form of perhaps insoluble questions think about this question in terms of domination, pieced together with as and problems. To attempt a couple social relationships between women much diversity as there are different of responses I shall examine feminist and men, the struggle of one class population groups – even though at literature and discourse, setting out the against another – a classic Marxist the same time women are unravelling discussions and arguments of women position. According to this view, even their tightly knit condition in their own writers10 who have thought about the in a society imbued with modernity matter in scientific disciplines such as and the chances it gives an individual always cover aesthetic assets. Yet these history, anthropology, sociology and to seize freedom, women and men cannot be hoarded: they decrease in value, philosophy, in continental Europe and are categories12 whose interests are year after year. An unmarried woman in her in the English-speaking countries. I forties will be seen as “a spinster”, and her 11 Goffman, E., L’arrangement des male equivalent as “an eligible bachelor”. shall also draw on concrete cases from sexes, Norwell, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Suwa, N., Un couple parfait, France-Japon, a my own experience in the field, the 1977; Paris, La Dispute, 2002, p. 47. co-production between Comme des Cinémas, experience of a committed activist, 12 Anne-Marie Devreux warns of the Bitter Ends & Arte France Cinéma, 2006. possibility and the temptation of “naturalising” 3 From this of view, both men and gained through my experience as a which arises when sexed “categories” are women can be made aware of gender-related professional feminist. My positioning addressed. This is all the more tempting as inequalities by discovering feminist works. women often have their inferiority thrown at 4 Duby, G. & Perrot, M., Histoire des them, on account of their “nature”. She invites femmes en Occident, Paris, Plon, 1992. 8 Although it should be noted that us to take the category of “women” not in 5 Bihr, A. & Pfefferkorn, R., Hommes/ neither feminism nor the history of this isolation (prompting the question “How can Femmes. L’introuvable inégalité, Paris, L’Atelier, movement features in school education. their inferiority be reduced?”) but to approach 1996. 9 These are questions that run it from a social angle, in relation to that of 6 Darmon, M., “Traitement de through feminist movements, and also some men: “[…] if we consider that this category l’anorexie et clivages de genre”, in Eckert, H. & academic social-science circles, and that lead of women is the product of the social gender Faure, S. (coord.), Les jeunes et l’agencement on to related queries such as: to be able to relationship which puts them in opposition des sexes, Paris, La Dispute, 2007. speak on behalf of a community, do you have to men, and if we make men the other social 7 Héritier, F., Masculin/Féminin II. to belong to it? In order to acquire the unique category, which is logically necessary if the Dissoudre la hiérarchie, Paris, Odile Jacob, legitimacy to speak about being a mother, do first one is to exist, then we are led to study 2002. The positioning given here is that of the you have to be one yourself? Etc. etc. not one specific nature but two – in other (woman) author. We will return later to other 10 I shall speak of women writers, words, to regard men not as a reference but authors, women and men, who express other as the majority of feminist researchers and as a category of sex whose distinctive feature ideas. writers of feminist literature are women. is that they are in the dominant position. So

19 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 as diametrically opposed as those of the numerous commands engraved In her feminist anthropologies, Nicole- workers and bosses. The relationship the most private part of the feminine Claude Mathieu puts forward the between the two categories involves “habitus”.14 view that this approach, developed exploitation and the domination from the social relationship between of women. As social relationships Many concrete examples, some women and men, based on gendered between the classes overlap with of which have even been written “categories”, works elsewhere as it social relations between women and into the law, show how real is the does here, the continuum of gendered men, a female worker will always determination of the “men” category violence operating internationally, be poorer than a male worker, and a to maintain certain privileges they from Marc Lépine17 to the sexual middle-class woman always poorer have, either by indirect discriminatory mutilation carried out in some than a middle-class man.13 Their sexual procedures15 or by mechanisms that African countries – a form of coercion exploitation intersects with economic explicitly perpetuate men’s advantages designed to teach women their place. exploitation. This argument rests and women’s disadvantages.16 This “It’s as if there was an international on the idea that all women share a institutional male chauvinism can be movement for violence against common identity – all are subjected found in trade unionists as well as women, whose demographic growth to the same kinds of oppression – no those laying down laws, as can be seen – which you might call demographic matter what their social origin. by taking part in demonstrations side violence – isn’t the most minor by side with “workers”. The latter do manifestation of it. This growth This position remains logically and not perceive women as “real workers” doesn’t happen on its own. It’s the politically tenable: a comparison (as a male activist told me when I was result of the determination to keep between the respective interests of handing him a leaflet on part-time men in control of women’s sexuality, the different categories (preserving work, done mainly by women). a determination whose transcultural their advantages for one side/ nature is demonstrated by the demanding democracy for the 14 I would like to make it clear that collusion between the Vatican and these commands can be issued without other) demonstrates its usefulness. being spoken. A woman’s role is often Islam at the International Conference A knowledge of History enables us taught implicitly, while at the same time this on Population and Development to remember inequalities that were “unspoken discourse” can be invalidated by (Cairo, September 1994).”18 the displeasure and inability many mothers gradually abolished thanks solely to display in carrying out these tasks which, collective political positioning based however, are supposed to be “feminine”. The This male violence manifests itself as on identification with the oppressed solution is simple: not to do housework, or to soon as women try to increase their do as little as possible. And, if one is anxious group. to put some principles of feminist and social autonomy and leave their “shirt” commitment into practice in one’s personal behind. Moreover the emergence of To delegitimise it, this struggle life, one may decide not to hire someone else masculinist movements attacking the (a woman, obviously) to do it, so as not to argument is often presented as reproduce the scenario of social and sexual “feminisation” of society – now grown being outdated, a jaded remnant domination that inevitably affect a cleaning “matriarchal” – as the cause of a left over from leftist dinosaurs or lady. Of course one might think of hiring a weakening in social structures which, male cleaner, but they are as rare as hen’s second-wave – or even second-class teeth. And furthermore, that would help they claim, is harmful to society and to – feminists. But it remains valid in extend insecure working conditions to men, “traditional values – a manifestation of the practice of feminist campaigning, feeding into the belief that insecurity for a “backlash”19 – shows that in the West women is a sign – perhaps – that it is on the which, like sociology, cuts across way for men too. there continues to be male resistance gendered categories with an axe, 15 As shown, for example, by the court to the emancipation of women, in the in a sense shaping ideal feminine case won by the Women’s Liaison Committee shape of anti-feminist demands.20 The against UCL, which was diving double the and masculine types: this way of family allowance to selected employees – i.e., prevailing discourse on bewildered proceeding can acquire legitimacy men only. men may be seen as male domination from the way the “men” category 16 In Belgium, for example (and in the majority of European countries that discredits the “women” category. The subscribe to gender equality), social legislation 17 On 6 December 1989 this forms of discrimination women suffer entails direct gender-based discrimination in student murdered 14 women in the École are perpetrated against all women, the “actuarial” calculation of the amount of polytechnique de Montréal, after first complementary retirement benefits, which getting the men out of the classroom. He because they are women, or are is based on life expectancy and is more then committed suicide, leaving behind a designated as such, in particular by favourable to men than to women. Feminists letter giving the reason for his crime: hatred argue that this discrimination is unjustified of women, who had been emancipated by the social question then becomes: “How can and arbitrary: bosses live longer than workers feminism. the social superiority of men be reduced, and Flemish people longer than Walloons, but 18 Mathieu, N.-C., “Relativisme in order to reduce the social inferiority of there is no differential treatment between culturel, excision et violences contre les women?”, which is a far more disturbing one.” them. Yet they cannot get law-makers to femmes”, in Sexe et race. Discours et formes Devreux, A.-M., “Sociologie contemporaine budge when it comes to abolishing this d’exclusion du XIXe au XXe siècle, t. 9, CERIC- et re-naturalisation du féminin”, in Gardey, D. provision. When they raise these issues – as Publications de l’Université Paris 7, 1994, p. & Löwy, I. (dir.), Les sciences et la fabrication they did in a number of conferences – they 93. du féminin et du masculin, Paris, Edition des are told that “society isn’t ready for this” 19 Faludi, S., Backlash, New York, Archives contemporaines, 2000, pp. 128-129. (meaning, ready to abolish this provision). Crown Publishers, 1991; Paris, Des Femmes, I shall return later to this “essentialisation” of Given that these demands have been made 1993. the category of “women”. for three decades now, this reply may be 20 Bard, C., “Les antiféminismes de la 13 Not to be confused with the wife of interpreted as “not ready to give women what deuxième vague”, in Bard, C. (dir.), Un siècle a worker or the wife of a middle-class man. they are entitled to”. d’antiféminisme, Paris, Fayard, 1999. 20 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

“in new clothes”,21 which make it losing the privileges associated with this, he reproduces the relationship invisible. their masculinity, pro-feminists of domination he is actually studying. nevertheless enjoy renewed privileges What interests men in feminism and But there are also men who have thanks to their feminism, whereas this the study of gender relations, she says, been won over to women’s cause. discredits women who say they belong is, ultimately, themselves. This can be Some, feeling that to appropriate the to the feminist movement: “There is illustrated by the fact that while one label of “feminist” would be to usurp neither symmetry nor equivalence rarely sees men in feminist training the term and dispossess women between the loss of privileges by those sessions, there was a plethora of of it, describe themselves as pro- who dominate and the oppression them in a module entitled “Men and feminists. In the English-speaking of those who are dominated. The Equality” at the Institute for Equality world, Michael Kimmel,22 Jeff Hearn23 speed with which the major English between Women and Men.28 and Michael Kaufmann,24 among and American scientific publishers others, challenge traditional gender flung open their doors to intellectuals In 1977 Christine Delphy,29 for her models that act as a mirror, reflecting from the various ‘fields’ and political part, said that men had no place in on their own masculinity in relation to movements centring on masculinity this movement. She criticised the femininity. But not everyone agrees even enables us to the hypothesise conceitedness of some intellectuals with including men in the feminist that, at a professional level, the small who, while understanding that women movement. Huguette Dagenais and minority of pro-feminist men have, needed to liberate themselves by Anne-Marie Devreux question the proportionally, gained more than they themselves, still “knew best” about “ambiguity” of men’s relationship have lost by developing new thinking what was good for them. Women, with feminism, highlighting the that goes against the current.”26 she said, could not think about their conviction of some authors quoted oppression in the presence of their that “their presence within feminism It would seem, therefore, that oppressors, because between them is essential for feminism and for the these men find it in their interest was this power struggle which did not development of feminist theories”.25 to concern themselves with these go away, in campaigning meetings or In addition, while they are admittedly issues. In addition, some women within a couple. Delphy maintained authors also reject the way in that men’s inability to experience male 21 De Singly, F., “Les habits neufs which (male) intellectuals treat oppression made their participation de la domination masculine”, Esprit, n° 10, “feminine” study topics. To go back in the struggle absurd, even though novembre 1993. 22 See, among others, Kimmel, M., to Nicole-Claude Mathieu, despite “the inability to experience it does not The Politics of Manhood, Philadelphia, Temple his commitment to egalitarianism University Press, 1995. she criticises Pierre Bourdieu and 28 “Les hommes et le changement 23 See, among others, Hearn, J., The : le rôle des hommes dans l’égalité des Gender of Oppression: Men, Masculinity and his Domination masculine for failing hommes et des femmes”, 9-10 September the Critique of Marxism, New York, St. Martin’s to overcome the male tendency to 2005; “Ensemble vers l’égalité : les hommes, Press, 1987. overlook the works and expertise of porteurs de changements ?”, 7 March 2006; 24 The co-founder of the White Ribbon 27 “La violence ? Une affaire d’hommes !”, 7 April Campaign, an international network of men their female colleagues. By doing 2006, Institut de l’Egalité des Femmes et des campaigning against the violence done to Hommes. During the module on 7 March, women. 26 Dagenais, H. & Devreux, A.-M., ibid., masculinist groups seized the floor from the 25 Dagenais, H. & Devreux, A.-M., p.14. women experts present. “Les hommes, les rapports sociaux de sexe et 27 Mathieu, N.-C., “Bourdieu ou le 29 Delphy, C., “Nos amis et nous. le féminisme : des avancées sous le signe de pouvoir auto-hypnotique de la domination Fondements cachés de quelques discours l’ambiguïté”, Nouvelles Questions Féministes, masculine”, Les Temps Modernes, n° 604, pseudo-féministes” (1977) in L’ennemi vol.19, n° 2-3-4, 1998, p.14. 1999. principal, Paris, Syllepses, 1998.

21 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 excuse ignorance”. She reiterated this now define themselves plurally, their of learning established by those who assertion almost 25 years later: identities piecing themselves together dominate, on the basis of women’s “Thirty-three years on, the feminist again more flexibly, “inventing unacknowledged experiences (care, movement is still living off the themselves”32 in a multitude of with its affective element), and inversion of perspective achieved in possible ways, less “moulded” by a reappropriation of the Marxist its first years thanks to its women- gender? And, here as elsewhere, do theories whereby the kinds of learning only practice. This has proved women constitute a homogeneous born from the experience of those who necessary because it is not as much category? Do the different kinds of suffer make it possible to create more in men’s interest – either objectively oppression they encounter all stem reliable theories.35 Women thus find or subjectively – to fight for women’s from the same cause, and do they all themselves at a special observation liberation. But above all because produce the same effects? Who are post from which they can see how oppressed women and men must “we, women”? The following (women) male power intersects with capitalist define their oppression, and thus their authors invite us to move on from an power, questioning androcentric liberation, themselves – if not, others argument based on shared experience “neutrality” and the relationship with will do it for them. And it is impossible towards a reflection on differences and “woman, the Other”.36 This position to do it in the presence of people who the standard: a reflection that both and this experience “as a woman” on the one hand belong to the group affects the set known as “women” and gives them expertise that helps in the of oppressors and who on the other do at the same time diffracts it. manufacture of new kinds of learning not know – and, except in exceptional with situated, politically convertible circumstances, cannot know – what it Maria Puig underlines the relevance features. is like to be treated like a woman – like of using this “we” as an instance of a Black woman or man, like a homo, collectivisation making possible the But this “we”, “as women”, does not like an Arab or a lesbian – every day political positioning and audibility preclude “refusing to give a uniform of their lives. No degree of empathy women have lacked – this politicisation vision of the conditions of women can be a substitute for experience. deriving from their social experiences and their different kinds of struggle Sympathising with suffering is not the “as women”,33 creating a political and resistance”.37 Question: as which same as suffering.”30 subjectivity, the subject, “woman”, women? Black feminists, for example, being both position and condition, refuse a “sisterhood” between their In her view, only the “groups” the condition of – all – women (“a life experiences and those of white concerned have the authority and restrictive condition […] that must be women. “[…] There is no “woman’s” legitimacy to speak for themselves. demolished”).34 position that is unique – as lesbian and The notion of experience is central. black feminists never tire of reminding Sandra Harding’s feminist us.”38 Judith Butler says that: “‘Being’ In the light of these discourses, and epistemology also invites us to think a woman certainly does not define the contexts that give rise to them, we “on the basis of women’s lives” and a whole being. […] The conception can attempt the following response: as to value the subjectivity of what of a universal patriarchy has been male oppression persists, women can these players say: women are agents widely criticised in recent years for only “be liberated by themselves”31 of the production of learning and its inability to give an account of the and, thus, retain exclusive rights to the the holders of knowledge, founded concrete mechanisms of gender-based publicisation of their own words. Now on their experience. The feminist oppression in the various cultural let us embark on a different reflection “standpoint” is a break with the kinds on our present subject. 32 Kaufmann, J.-C., L’Invention de soi. 35 Ilana Löwy, however, questions Une théorie de l’identité, Paris, Armand Colin, the relevance of suffering to the knowledge Who can speak for women? 2004. production process, referring to this Women? It’s not that simple… 33 I also refute the assertion that “standpoint” theory: “[…] How can this “as a woman” necessarily indicates an potential [of the epistemology of positioning] essentialist perspective, aligning myself with be achieved in conditions of suffering and We have attempted to reply to this the previously quoted proposition from Anne- deprivation (including deprivation of access to question with the help of gendered Marie Devreux and that of Ilana Löwy: “Some education and culture), conditions which, as a feminist trends stress that there is a ‘way of rule, are conducive neither to calm reflection “categories”. But is it really possible to being women in the world’. This approach nor to the search for knowledge?” Löwy, I., put together one class/category from has sometimes been linked to essentialism “Universalité de la science et connaissances a multitude of individuals, assimilating (biological, psychological or psychoanalytical), ‘situées’“, in Gardey, D. et Löwy, I. (dir.), but there is no reason for us not to associate it L’invention du naturel. Les sciences et la them to one single model? In Europe, with a historical or sociological view – in other fabrication du féminin et du masculin, op. cit., for example, can we not take into words, with the real-life experience of a group p. 144. account the fact that, without a – rather than with supposedly component 36 Wittrup, I., “Feminist anthropology. features.” Löwy, I., “Universalité de la science Another Form of Cultural Imperialism?”, Folk, functionalist aim, women and men et connaissances ‘situées’“, in Gardey, D. vol. 35, 1993. et Löwy, I. (dir.), L’invention du naturel. Les 37 Puig de la Bellacasa, M., op. cit., p. 30 Delphy, C., “Retrouver l’élan du sciences et la fabrication du féminin et du 42. féminisme”, Le Monde diplomatique, May masculin, op. cit., p.144. 38 Puig de la Bellacasa, M., “(Re) 2004, pp. 24 -25. 34 Puig de la Bellacasa, M., construire les savoirs”, in Gubin, E., Jacques, 31 “Don’t liberate me, I’ll take care “Divergences solidaires : autour des politiques C., Rochefort, F., Studer, B., Thébaut, F. & of that”, runs a slogan from second-wave féministes des savoirs situés”, Multitudes, n° Zancarini-Fournell, M. (dir.), Le siècle des feminism. 12, 2003, p. 42. féminismes, Paris, L’Atelier, 2004, p. 298. 22 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

contexts in which it exists.”39 is conditioned by our experiences, legitimacy and of questioning on the our social position, etc. The view from positionality of the writer, in particular One woman cannot be “reduced” to “nowhere”, from neutral, becomes the – and especially recently – looking another. Michelle Rosaldo calls for view from “somewhere” – i.e., from at ethics in the social sciences. All of the cancellation of a uniform model “situated”, “localised” players. But we which “requires social science [...] of femininity: one woman’s social must resist the tendency to reproduce to become a worksite for the crucial context is not the same as another’s. the faults of the dominators, who think conversations on democracy, race, While she highlights the asymmetry they “know better”, as Maria Puig gender, class, people, freedom and in the enjoyment of privileges, she explains: “Is it, though, a privileged community”;46 conversations stirring also warns against the temptation point of view, holding greater truth? up a set of tensions whose main to describe women as a whole as According to Donna Haraway, ‘the subject is: “How can we describe and passive victims: from each case of privilege of a partial perspective’42 interpret the requirements of other male oppression a capacity for female is by definition contingent, and peoples and cultures? Representation “assertiveness” can emerge. She yet it aspires to produce meaning. and legitimacy problems stem from stresses that it is impossible to think Situated feminist knowledge aspires this commitment”.47 The status of about the universality of the content to be taken into account but admits the researcher and their bond with and forms of this domination.40 its partiality (in both senses) because, the interlocutor are turned upside recalling the insult to women, it seeks down as a result. At work deep within This questionable “universality” to be watchful, aware of the risk this bond – a social relationship in is also that of one sole form of that its own demands might make which the protagonists are situated feminism defending the rights of other positions invisible. Thinking – are the aspects of respect and the Woman – woman from the middle- based on the standpoint of a socio- responsibility that must be borne class feminist tradition, white, well- historical group, including when by the scientist, who transcribes off, heterosexual, Western, etc. The this standpoint is not accessible to the reality of the players involved “canon” of feminism thrown into us personally, is [...] a ‘technology’ but is thereby also in a position of disarray by the contribution of “other for the production of knowledge.43 power.48 If the researcher is socially voices”, which invite us to take not just Haraway refers in particular to black situated, and not unsullied by a gender-based oppression into account women in the United States, especially history, a lived experience or personal but to mix in with it oppression based in disadvantaged areas, whose representations with regard to the on race, class and sexuality. Thus one positioning opens up perspectives Other and their world, how can they can no longer talk of feminism and onto the world that are not necessarily create the neutrality, the objectivity woman, but rather feminisms, and visible to the eyes of a privileged white they must/should have? In what way women. The feminine “we” cannot be woman. Constructing an ‘objective’ can they give an account of what the thought of as being uniform: “What standpoint would involve using this other says, in a dialogue rather than chou mean WE, white girl?”41 kind of technology.”44 an interpretation, if not by putting forward a text that includes both the Subjectivity and the refusal to These reflections have not been informant/researcher/conditions of universalise adds complexity to the crystallised by feminist epistemology: the relationship between the two possibility of replying to our original they match, fuel and influence the main players and of the research? question. The category of “women” desire for reflexivity that pervades The researcher’s responsibility does is no longer “one” but multiple. As the (social) sciences with regard indeed come into play, once the a result, “speaking for” draws us to the relationship with the Other discursive practices and structures towards an auto-reflexive approach, in and the responsibility involved in can themselves entail domination order to survey and then disseminate transcribing it. Recurrent reflection and diminish the capacity of a women’s lived experience. While on objectivity/subjectivity/neutrality disadvantaged group to express itself Donna Haraway invites us to think pervades qualitative research, leading that knowledge is situated, she to crises of representation (“Who also recommends taking some is the Other? Can we ever hope to 46 Denzin, N.K. & Lincoln, Y. S. (eds), ibid., p. 613. precautions. Our vision of the world speak authentically of the experience 47 Denzin, N.K. & Lincoln, Y. S. (eds), of another, of the Other?”),45 of ibid., p. 616. 39 Butler, J., Gender Trouble, London 48 In 1986 anthropologists Clifford and and New York, Routledge, 1990; Paris, La 42 Haraway, D., “Situated Knowledges. Marcus proposed addressing these issues in Découverte, 2005, pp. 62-63. The Privilege of a Partial Perspective”, in the break with the more “traditional” practice 40 Rosaldo, M.Z., “The Use and Abuse Simians, Cyborg and Women, London, Free and discipline methods by their collective and of Anthropology: Reflections on Feminism and Association Books, 1991. publication, both entitled Writing Culture, Cross-Cultural Understanding”, Signs, vol. 5, 43 Haraway, D., Modest_Witness@ which omitted to take an interest in the works no. 3, 1980. Second_Millennium.FemaleMan_Meets_ of their female colleagues – a situation whose 41 Bethel, L., “What Chou Mean WE, OncoMouse, New York, Routledge, 1997. irony is underlined by R. Behar: the possibility White Girl” referred to in hooks, b., “Ain’t I 44 Puig de la Bellacasa, M., “(Re) of making the other’s voice heard thus does a Women”, Boston, South End Press, 1981, construire les savoirs”, op. cit., p. 298. not apply to women or feminists. In Women p. 152. Quoted by Puig de la Bellacasa, M., 45 Denzin, N.K. & Lincoln, Y. S. (eds), Writing Culture this latter anthropologist “Divergences solidaires. Autour des politiques The Landscape of Qualitative Research. recounts women’s anger at having been des savoirs situés”, Multitudes, n° 12, 2003, p. Theories and Issues. Thousand Oaks, Sage ousted from Writing Culture, “intended by 41. Publications, 2003, p. 616. male academics for male academics”. 23 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

© gaelx, Flickr and make itself heard.49 for women with respect. And it’s not In practice, some possible solutions about excluding men from feminism, are inherent in the way one acts and Shifting the debate without either – or we would be reproducing the attention one pays to context. betraying the words of the Other the exclusion some men have imposed and still are imposing on women. I On these points, Léo Thiers-Vidal In the light of the issues raised, is know too that my life is not unfolding (a man!) offers men the following it therefore unthinkable that men in the same way as that of another less approach. He is a feminist who should be able to speak on behalf of privileged European woman, still less has been looking at how to think women – even if they do not undergo an Indian or African woman – I know about “social relationships based this “experience of femininity”– just we are not the same. On the other on an oppressive social position”,52 as women might speak for others, hand, I have to take into account my decentring himself from the standard53 and take on issues concerning them professional and personal experience: in a two-stage process: by taking without the slightest inclination to in undermining the credibility of a deep interest in feminist output, dominate them? the simplistic thesis of feminists’ which allows a “limited, intellectual paranoia, before starting this job I transformation of male subjectivity”. The arguments put forward can be hadn’t expected to discover such a Next, going beyond some “modes of discussed over and over in a never- determination to maintain the status investment”54 by “men researchers”, ending debate. Some (women and quo in relationships between the by a political commitment allowing men) remain convinced that only sexes.50 Even though, clearly, women’s them “to have a better grasp of social women can speak for women. Others situation is changing for the better relationships between women and fear that giving a voice to one group and men aren’t all alike any more men”. Thiers-Vidal suggests “going or another on the basis of experiences than women are. This being so, just to and fro” between practice and that would legitimise some political as feminists of different persuasions reflection. positions to the exclusion of the move the model from THE essential others might lead to a resumption Woman to real women, plural, let us “As committed male researchers, we of “communitarian” approaches. move and reformulate the original Furthermore, anthropological and question: “How can people speak for 52 Thiers-Vidal, L., “De la masculinité sociological studies have shown women (and others) and relate what à l’anti-masculinisme : penser les rapports that it is possible to understand the they say without betraying them?”51 sociaux de sexe à partir d’une position sociale oppressive”, Nouvelles Questions Féministes, Other and disseminate their words vol.21, n°3, 2002. without having followed the same 50 Some examples of what I have 53 A male standard characterised, path. Can we not think that the Other found while doing this job: sniggering as according to the author, by egocentricity, soon as women open their mouths, constant having their own situation and how to improve is everybody else and that, in this references to how charming the speakers are; it (thanks to feminism) as their primary case, only individuals can speak for ancient insults in new disguises: for example, interest, identifying their oppressive behaviour themselves, in their own personal when the familiar “sexually frustrated” taunt very little, if at all, and failure to reflect on to a woman is transformed into the new and their social position. names? Thus there is no ready answer currently more acceptable one which goes 54 Thiers-Vidal distinguishes four, to our original question. “you obviously have a problem with men”. according to D.J. Kahane: the “poser”, the 51 Thus one can see men who, in “insider”, the “humanist” and the “self- feminist gatherings, speak so much on behalf flagellator”. This categorisation of attitudes What can I say, from my standpoint of women that women can’t get a word in. may appear caricatured, but “first and as a committed feminist? On the one Also, as women’s socialisation has prepared foremost [it] classifies the different degrees of hand, I’ve seen men speaking about/ them less for speaking in public, they can very mourning the different individuals have arrived quickly be caught unawares by those who are at in terms of the masculinist imagination and accustomed and have the resources to do so, world vision” – which the author means in 49 Alcoff, L., “The Problem of Speaking and can find themselves gagged both by men the sense of “the ruling ideology, structuring for Others”, Cultural Critique, No. 20, 1991-92, and by the synergies that operate during these society in such a way that two social classes pp. 26-27. kinds of interaction. are produced: men and women”. 24 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

[...] need to establish with feminists taking into account the different kinds taking their experiences into account regular interactions that are not of power struggle these relations and acknowledging the truth of their controlled by the men’s group, in order impose on reality. This is an approach assertions. Working together can be to verify the theoretical and political to be adopted by both male and useful as long as domination comes relevance of their work. Aware of female researchers and activists back into it as little as possible and men’s affective, psychological and (roles that can overlap): for the latter, provided the discourse constructed political egocentricity, it is important thinking about the struggle against by the “weaker” ones can be heard. to be accountable to those [women] sexist discrimination is meaningless From the point of view of constructing primarily affected in order to avoid unless it is combined with the struggle the sociological discourse, one can the many stumbling blocks already against racism or capitalism,59 which also imagine that one situation will documented, including a fresh spring from the same sources that not be the same as another and that exclusion of feminists by male benefit the standard Individual, for context will play a strong part in the research on social relationships whom and by whom the patriarchal relationship between the (female or between women and men.”55 theories and laws used as a prism for male) expert and their informant, viewing the world have been created. which will affect whether or not it is Often, he says, men make an issue of possible to “speak for”: some topics the “straitjacket” they sometimes feel For Sandra Harding, decentring are easier to broach with an “identical” they are victims of, whereas the object virility or any other parameter of the person, some are not. of the exercise is to learn to empathise standard does not mean that men with the situation of women: if men cannot contribute to feminism, or But the dialogic relationship referred want to take an interest in “women’s” that they cannot generate a shrewd to above, which takes the social matters and speak on their behalf, feminist approach based on their relations between the main players they must build up expertise with own experiences. The same goes into account, does make it possible them. There must be accountability in for white women. But this reflexive to avoid the good intentions of both constructing the discourse. The same approach “based on such seemingly paternalist and Lady Bountiful. Once work can be done once someone contradictory social situations as that the encounter involves individuals in a position of superiority accepts that of ‘male feminist’ and ‘white anti- who are differently situated, owing the challenge of taking an interest racist’ call for more analysis than has to parameters they cannot abandon, in the Other, speaking about them ever been conducted before”.60 The it remains imperative to adopt the and even speaking on their behalf. question “where is the person talking greatest humility, empathy, reflexivity This means working on one’s own from?” remains wholly valid. and respect; the sincerest form representations of oneself/the Other, of listening. Sometimes, silence is including for women and feminists,56 Context also plays its part: in some appropriate when these others, men and challenging the idea that the cases, not mixing,61 whether in terms or women, can express themselves standard is devoid of features by of gender or something else, does by themselves. Let us not forget: like turning the stigmata around: “white” in fact make it possible to develop the transcriber, the orator bears a and “masculine” are markers just as collective issues. In others, men may responsibility. Constant watchfulness much as “black”, “feminine”, etc.57 represent valuable allies in their over their own subjectivity and acts These attributes of the Other cannot support for women, just as white by the “dominators”, in order to be thought about in isolation, or women can be allies for black women; understand the other (woman or simply added on (they are an intrinsic man) and to speak in their name part of a system of social relations 59 On this subject, see Lamoureux, D., without betraying them. Constant Pfefferkorn, R. & Tratt, T. (dir.), L’autonomie that is structurally maintained and des femmes en question. Antiféminismes et watchfulness by the “dominated” politically imposed), but only within résistances en Amérique et en Europe, Paris, women and men to see that their a framework of “intersectionality”:58 L’Harmattan, 2006. rights are upheld and advanced. Yes, 60 Harding, S., op. cit., p. 14. 61 The women-only policy of some men’s power comes in a variety of 55 Thiers-Vidal, L., ibid., p. 83. feminist movements, which is sometimes forms, depending on the background 56 In the distinctive position of being labelled “anti-democratic”, is justified in of cultures and their respective laws. both object and subject of the research, certain situations, such as where a feminist helping to feed into the reflective process. organisation invites the public (including Yes, women are active players. But not 57 Sandra Harding suggests this women from working-class neighbourhoods) much attention is paid to what they in relation to US Americans of European to an event where being among women only say. And their shirt is too tight. This descent. Harding, S., Whose Science? Whose to exchange experiences is like being in a Knowledge? Thinking from Women’s Lives, real Room of One’s Own, and is symbolic for does not mean they should put on a Ithaca, Cornell University Press, 1991, p. 215. women whose whole lives continue to be man’s one. Let’s say they need to be 58 Kimberley Crenshaw suggests devoted to others, for whom male domination adjusted, both of them. Until the time this term to describe how the intersecting is especially marked (in terms of permission to oppression of race and gender must be come and go and performing tasks only they comes to unstitch them, if we can taken into account in observing the situation are required to do), and who have no financial imagine such a thing being possible. of women. Crenshaw, K.W., “Cartographie assets of their own (sometimes not even a des marges: intersectionnalité, politique de bank account): neither room nor money for l’identité et violences contre les femmes de themselves – these being the only conditions couleur”, Les Cahiers du genre, n° 39, 2005. in which women can fulfil themselves in The European network NextGENDERation has literary creation (but not just that), as adopted this intersectionality. identified by Virginia Woolf. 25 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

Bibliography Monde diplomatique, mai 2004. • DENZIN, N.K. & LINCOLN, Y.S. (eds), The Landscape • ALCOFF, L., “The Problem of Speaking for Others”, of Qualitative Research. Theories and Issues, Thousand Cultural Critique, n° 20, 1991-92. Oaks, Sage Publications, 2003. • BEHAR, R., “Out of exile”, in Behar, R. & Gordon, • DEVREUX, A.-M., “Sociologie contemporaine et D. A. (eds), Women writing culture, Berkeley, University re-naturalisation du féminin”, in Gardey, D. & Löwy, I. of California Press, 1996. (dir.), L’invention du naturel.Les sciences et la fabrication • BETHEL, L., “What Chou Mean WE, White Girl?”, du féminin et du masculin, Paris, Edition des Archives 1979, in hooks, b., “Ain’t I a Women”, Boston, South End contemporaines, 2000. Press, 1981. • DUBY, G. & PERROT, M., Histoire des femmes en • BIHR, A. & PFEFFERKORN, R., Hommes/Femmes. Occident, Paris, Plon, 1992. L’introuvable inégalité, Paris, L’Atelier, 1996. • FALUDI, S., Backlash, New York, Crown Publishers, • BUTLER, J., Gender Trouble, London and New 1991; Paris, Des femmes, 1993. York, Routledge, 1990; Paris, La Découverte, 2005. • FITZGERALD, F.S., Tender is the Night, New York, • COLLIN, F. & KAUFER, I., Parcours féministe, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1933-1934; Paris, Le livre de Bruxelles, Labor, 2005. Poche, 2006. • CRENSHAW, K.W., “Cartographie des marges : • GODELIER, M., L’idéel et le matériel, Paris, Fayard, intersectionnalité, politique de l’identité et violences 1984. contre les femmes de couleur”, Les cahiers du genre, n° • GOFFMAN, E., L’arrangement des sexes, Norwell, 39, 2005. Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1977; Paris, La Dispute, • DAGENAIS, H. & DEVREUX, A.-M., “Les hommes, 2002. les rapports sociaux de sexe et le féminisme : des avancées • HARAWAY, D., “Situated Knowledges. The sous le signe de l’ambiguïté”, Nouvelles Questions Privilege of a Partial Perspective”, in Simians, Cyborg and Feminists, vol.19, n°2-3-4, 1998. Women, Londres, Free Association Books, 1991. • DARMON, M., “Traitement de l’anorexie et • HARAWAY, D., Modest_Witness@Second_ clivages de genre”, in Eckert, H. & Faure, S. (coord.), Les Millennium.FemaleMan_Meets_OncoMouse, New York, jeunes et l’agencement des sexes, Paris, La Dispute, 2007. Routledge, 1997. • DELPHY, C., “Nos amis et nous. Fondements • HARDING, S., Whose Science? Whose Knowledge? cachés de quelques discours pseudo-féministes”, 1977, in Thinking from Women’s Lives, Ithaca, Cornell University L’ennemi principal, Paris, Syllepses, 1998. Press, 1991. • DELPHY, C., “Retrouver l’élan du féminisme”, Le • HEARN, J., The Gender of Oppression: Men,

26 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

Masculinity and the Critique of Marxism, New York, St. Modernes, n° 604, 1999. Martin’s Press, 1987. • PUIG DE LA BELLACASA, M., “Divergences • HÉRITIER, F., Masculin Féminin II. Dissoudre la solidaires: autour des politiques féministes des savoirs hiérarchie, Paris, Odile Jacob, 2002. situés”, Multitudes, n° 12, 2003. • KAHANE, D., J., “Male feminism as oxymoron”, in • PUIG DE LA BELLACASA, M., “(Re)construire les Digby, T. (ed.), Men Doing Feminism, London, Routledge, savoirs”, in Gubin, E., Jacques, C., Rochefort, F., Studer; 1998. B., Thébaut, F. & Zancarini-Fournell, M. (dir.), Le siècle des • KAUFMANN, J.-C., La Trame conjugale: analyse du féminismes, L’Atelier, 2004. couple par son linge, Paris, Nathan, 1992. • ROSALDO, M.Z., “The Use and Abuse of • KAUFMANN, J.-C., L’Invention de soi. Une théorie Anthropology: reflections on feminism and cross-cultural de l’identité, Paris, Armand Colin, 2004. understanding”, Signs, vol. 5, n° 3, 1980. • KIMMEL, M., The Politics of Manhood, • DE SINGLY, F., “Les habits neufs de la domination Philadelphia, Temple University Press, 1995. masculine”, Esprit, n° 10, novembre 1993. • LAMOUREUX, D., PFEFFERKORN, R & TRATT, • THIERS-VIDAL, L., “De la masculinité à l’anti- T. (dir.), L’autonomie des femmes en question. masculinisme : penser les rapports sociaux de sexe à partir Antiféminismes et résistances en Amérique et en Europe, d’une position sociale oppressive”, Nouvelles Questions Paris, L’Harmattan, 2006. Feminists, vol. 21, n° 3, 2002. • LÖWY, I., “Universalité de la science et • WITTRUP, I., “Feminist Anthropology. Another connaissances ‘situées’“, in Gardey, D. et Löwy, I. (dir.), Form of Cultural Imperialism?”, Folk, vol. 35, 1993. L’invention du naturel. Les sciences et la fabrication • WOOLF, V., A Room of One’s Own, London, The du féminin et du masculin, Paris, Éditions des Archives Hogarth Press Ltd, 1929; Paris, Editions 10/18, 2004. contemporaines, 2000. • LÖWY, I., L’Emprise du genre. Féminité, sexualités, inégalités. Paris, L’Harmattan, 2006. Filmography • MATHIEU, N.-C., “Relativisme culturel, excision et violences contre les femmes”, in Sexe et race. Discours • SUWA, N., Un couple parfait, France-Japon, a co- et formes d’exclusion du XIXe au XXe siècle, t.9, CERIC- production between Comme des Cinémas, Bitter Ends & Publications de l’Université Paris 7, 1994. Arte France Cinéma, 2006. • MATHIEU, N.-C., “Bourdieu ou le pouvoir auto- hypnotique de la domination masculine”, Les Temps

27 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

From public policies to initiatives of feminist men: what involvement of men?

28 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 ‘Gender equality needs men, men need gender equality’ – The Finnish policy on men and gender equality*

By Jouni Varanka, Former Expert for the Gender Equality Unit of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland

This article is based on my work as a gender equality expert conclusions already exist. The most notable include working in the Finnish government from 2001 to 2009. conclusions have come from the UN’s Commission on the My main area of responsibility during that time was the Status of Women (CSW)4 and EU’s EPSCO council from relationship of men to gender equality. The work resulted 2004 and 2006 respectively.5 These agreed conclusions are in a strategy document “Men and Gender Equality Policy important because they reduce the risk of losing sight of in Finland” in 2007 (from which this article draws heavily),1 the overall focus of gender equality while focusing on men an expert conference during the EU presidency of Finland and gender equality. The big picture is clear: the status in 20062 and subsequent Council conclusions on men of women and women’s empowerment is of priority and and gender equality. Later in the period I was involved in this must be remembered also when focusing on men and furthering some of the more practical suggestions in the gender equality. mentioned strategy document and drafting the chapter on men and gender equality on the first ever Finnish Report Developments that led to focusing more on men on Gender Equality (published in 2010).3 Gender equality has of course always concerned men as The Finnish context for governmental gender equality well as women, but the main interest in gender equality policies and programmes has many similarities to other policy has been focused on women’s situations and actions. European countries but also has some distinct differences. For at least twenty years there has been a gradual process The ‘big picture’ of gender equality policy in Finland is the that has led to giving more attention to men in gender same as elsewhere: it is mainly about improving the status equality policy in Finland. Three ideas within gender of women. This is reflected, for instance, in the Equality equality policy have had a strong impact on the change. Act. From a European perspective, Finland is portrayed as They are: part of the Nordic countries which are relatively advanced 1) Actions and attitudes of men are crucial for improving in gender equality in many areas. For instance the the status of women. majority of the Cabinet Ministers of our last government 2) Gender mainstreaming requires focusing more attention were female, a fact that was noted in the media but not on men. made into a big issue. Unique to Finland is the ongoing 3) Men’s problems and situations also need attention in interest of the Government’s gender equality machinery gender equality policy. in men and gender equality. Under the Council for Gender Equality, there has since 1988 been a subcommittee on For a long time, gender equality efforts within the UN men continuously in operation. This long-lasting interest machinery (and to a somewhat lesser extent in Finland) has served as a necessary ‘intellectual infrastructure’ or focused almost solely on women. In the course of the ‘undergrowth’ that makes it faster and easier to come up 1980s, the notion gradually emerged that gender equality with policy initiatives relating to men and gender equality. efforts focusing only on women are perhaps not the most efficient way of improving the status of women. It would Although the theme of men and gender equality is be more productive to also discuss men in gender equality relatively new, internationally agreed guidelines and policy, particularly in view of how to involve men more in gender equality efforts, how to instigate equitable * An extensive version of this article is available here: http://www.berdingune.euskadi.net/u89-congizon/es/contenidos/ behaviour among men, and how to encourage men to informacion/sare2007/es_berdingu/adjuntos/varanka.j_07_engl.pdf support improvements in the status of women. 1 http://pre20090115.stm.fi/hu1171371965657/passthru.pdf 2 Report of the Conference Men and Gender Equality – Towards Progressive Policies, Helsinki on 5–6 October 2006: http:// 4 http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/csw48/ac-men- pre20090115.stm.fi/hu1168255554694/passthru.pdf auv.pdf 3 http://www.stm.fi/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=276 5 http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/06/st14/st14845. 5155&name=DLFE-15811.pdf en06.pdf 29 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

Another component that has led to ‘men’ in ‘men and gender equality’ improving the status of women); more attention being paid to to men is best understood as an object • Emergence of competition and gender equality is the move of attention, not as a subject of between action to tackle problems of towards a ‘gender perspective’ from a discourse. ‘Men and gender equality’ men and action to tackle the problems ‘women-centred perspective’. This is is very much about women’s problems of women; also linked to gender mainstreaming. as well and about men’s role in solving • Seeing the relationship The essential concept in gender (and worsening) these problems. It between men and gender equality mainstreaming is the process whereby is about both sides of the coin. For from a narrow and one-sided before decisions are taken, an analysis example, (some) men pay a crucial viewpoint. is made of the likely effects of the role in both causing the demand for policy or programme in question on trafficking for sexual purposes but The core theme in Finnish gender women and men, respectively. It is also in finding ways to reduce that equality policy has been to improve important to note that this clause demand. The issue of prostitution is a the labour market standing of women. specifies an evaluation of the effects very good example. It is almost never This weighting is evident in Section 1 on men, too. This is a verbalised considered a problem for men and of the Equality Act: “The objectives of rebuttal of the tacit and often would thus not be included in work this Act are to prevent discrimination unacknowledged assumption that the that is only about men’s problems. Yet based on gender, to promote equality word ‘gender’ only refers to ‘women’. it is a gender equality theme that has between women and men, and thus very much to do with men. Men make to improve the status of women, The third reason for considering up the vast majority of the demand particularly in working life” (Law men within the framework of that is necessary for prostitution 609/1986, Section 1). However, it is gender equality is perhaps the most to exist. Obviously, prostitution important to note that most key issues controversial, as it concerns the idea is something that should also be related to men and gender equality that gender equality policy can and discussed when discussing men and are not closely related to working life. should benefit men as well as women. gender equality. Furthermore, the UN Five well-known topics related to the This benefit can come from at least two and EU declarations as well as other theme of men and gender equality directions: reducing problems faced documentation about gender equality have prompted widespread discussion by men and positive effects on men shows us that this particular aspect in Finland and in other Western from actions targeted at improving is weighed: empowering women and countries. These are: the status of women. This third idea is improving women’s situation must be • Men’s reconciliation of work sometimes interpreted as being linked given priority over men’s problems, and family life, and male parenthood; to a backlash against feminism and even when talking about men and • Violence against women by women’s empowerment. This could gender equality policy. men (particularly violence in intimate be because in some popular media relationships); discussion of the benefits gained by Effects and risks • Men and health; women and men are pitted against • Men and divorce; each other in a zero sum game fashion If gender equality policy focuses • Boys and schooling (weighted which posits that if women gain, men more on the relationship between towards the school system, on the one lose, and vice versa. men and gender equality, this will hand, or towards boys and masculinity increase men’s contribution to the on the other, depending on the © Mike Baird, Flickr promotion of gender equality and country) help to pinpoint the benefit of gender equality measures to men and clarify The fact that many issues especially how men’s and women’s situations related to men lie outside the thematic and choices in life affect each other. core of gender equality policy raises It will also reduce the stereotyped the question of how gender equality treatment of men in gender equality policy should address these issues. discussion and help build a positive The expertise of the personnel in relationship between men and gender the gender equality machinery is equality policy. An effect will also naturally focused on issues related be that familiar topics in the gender to the thematic core and there is a equality debate will be looked from lack of precedent on ways to tackle fresh angles and that altogether new certait issues, for example health, Understand the term ‘men and areas of interest will emerge. from a gender equality perspective. gender equality’ Gender mainstreaming is therefore However, there are three possible risks an important method for addressing To discuss men and gender equality in in focusing more on men in gender issues which concern men and fall Finland it is important to understand equality policy: outside labour market questions. how the term ’men and gender • Blurring of the big picture It is important to note that gender equality’ is conceptualised. The word in gender equality (the priority of mainstreaming does not refer

30 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 exclusively to the women’s viewpoint. that is, the gains to men and boys; fathers. A study on men as victims It also involves studying how a topic 3) Recognise the well-being of men of violence was also conducted affects men, what the status of men and boys as a legitimate aim of gender following the 2007 strategy document. with regard to the topic is on average, equality measures; The study used (roughly) the same what kinds of situations men find 4) Recognise the diversity of men’s questionnaire as the internationally themselves in with regard to the topic, (and women’s) situations and disseminated ‘Faith, Hope, Battering and how common such situations are. circumstances. study’, launched in 1997, which focused on women as victims of Expertise is also needed also outside Within this Finnish strategy paper a violence.7 It was also recommended the governmental machinery. One generic overall strategic goal and five that a member of the most prolific important way of promoting deeper important sub-goals are proposed. men’s organisation should join the and broader expertise concerning These are on a general level and not Council for Gender Equality as an men in Finland is to provide financial connected to individual issues or expert advisor (where a women’s NGO support both for studies on men and statistical indicators. On the most representative was already present). for gender studies that also deal with generic level, the key objective is to This recommendation was fulfilled men. In addition, we must consider incorporate men into the heart of in 2011. The document included ways of financially subsidising men’s gender equality policy. This can be other recommendations, but those organisations that work for gender explained with two pairs of ideas. mentioned above can be seen as the equality as part of and environment of First, men must be incorporated both most influential or important. overall support for non-governmental as active participants and as an object organisations promoting gender of focus for policy action. Second, Altogether perhaps the most lasting equality. this needs to be done with dedicated effect of the strategy document so initiatives as well as mainstreamed far is that it has helped to solidify into the ordinary gender equality the topic ‘men and gender equality’ policy. It is crucial to stress the word as one of the key areas to address in ’incorporate’ here. ’Men’ should be gender equality. This effect has been a part of the whole, not something demonstrated, for instance, by the apart from it. This concerns setting inclusion of this topinc as one of the 17 up official machinery and offices, themes addressed in the Government recruiting and placement of experts Report on Gender Equality released and actual policy initiatives. in 2010. Also noteworthy is that the topic is now routinely referred to The goal of incorporating men as ‘men and gender equality’ in the into gender equality policy can be Finnish gender equality policy context. © Charlotte Weathersby, Flickr approached in five different ways: Alternative terminology could have 1) Increasing gender equality policy been more limited or controversial, action aimed at and affecting men; such as ‘men’s viewpoint on gender A Finnish strategy document 2) Ensuring more male participation equality’ or even ‘men’s equality’, in the gender equality policy debate; which were often routinely used by The Finnish Government’s 2003 to 3) Paying attention to men in gender gender equality professionals when I 2007 work programme for stated that equality policy rhetoric; started my work back in 2001. ‘gender equality issues will also be 4) Gaining more profound expertise assessed from the male viewpoint’. on men; In a 2005 barometer, also available in While preparing the 2007 strategy 5) Supporting gender mainstreaming English,8 over 80 percent of both men document, four principles from the and stressing that mainstreaming and women in Finland agreed with background work which was carried must involve men as well as women. the statement: “Men benefit from out in preparation for the Commission increased gender equality too”. It is on the Status of Women’s meeting The strategy document also included clear that men do benefit from gender in 2004 on the Role of Men and Boys several practical proposals for equality and women’s empowerment. were adopted.6 These are: action. First and foremost it was Thus, gender equality and women’s 1) Gender equality work with men recommended that measures that empowerment are not only women’s should take into account the general support men’s participation in child issues; they concern everybody. situation between the genders care should be promoted. Proven Gender equality policy should strive to (‘general situation’ signals the methods to encourage this include make this known. importance of improving the status of parental leave quotas for men. A women); more interesting proposal was that 2) Emphasise the active stake that the operating practices of child health 7 http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/ men and boys have in gender equality, clinics and maternity clinics should DAM/stats/gender/vaw/surveys/Finland/ be developed so that staff are better FIN_VAW_Publication.pdf 6 http://www.un.org/womenwatch/ able to support the participation of 8 http://pre20090115.stm.fi/ daw/csw/csw48/Thematic1.html hu1136799010577/passthru.pdf 31 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 Building alliances with feminist men By Matt McCormack Evans, Founder of the Anti Porn Men Project, UK

“Give respect = receive respect”, Brussels 2011

My becoming a feminist happened of both my parents, were strong However, as the effects of patriarchy gradually and was helped along by a influences on my interest in feminism. for men are different to how they combination of the relationships I had affect women, there have long been with women and by understanding the The final push that saw me enter questions about what it means to effects that things like pornography feminist activism however, came when be a feminist and a man. As a result and other sexist media have had on I saw first-hand in myself and my male there are a range of terms which men myself and my male peers. Early on peers the influence that pornography have used to describe themselves in my relationships with women made had on our attitudes and behaviour reference to their beliefs about gender me realise how differently our culture towards women. As a result I joined and patriarchy. Terms such as ‘anti- expects women and men to express and ended up working for OBJECT,1 a sexist’, ‘gender-egalitarian’ and of their sexuality. As a teenager I was campaign group that lobbies against course ‘pro-feminist’ are all examples enveloped into a mainstream hip- the sexual objectification of women of this. hop, macho culture that celebrated and girls in mainstream media. an aggressive masculinity, while my More than anything else, the issue female friends were learning that their For me, being a feminist and a man of whether men are able to call sexuality was something to perform can be both a very simple identity themselves feminists or not is about for men and that more than almost to have, and in other ways a slightly their inclusion and involvement in the anything else, our culture valued more complicated one. As it is for feminist movement. Feminism has them for their appearance. Years many people who would describe and always will be about women’s later I formed a close relationship themselves as feminist, being a rights, but if we think of feminism with a woman who was the recipient feminist for me involves firstly, a as a movement, rather than a club, of physical, psychological and sexual recognition that we live in a sexist, its members can be bound together abuse that took place within her patriarchal culture, and also, that this as a collective according to the home. These relationships, in addition is neither right or inevitable. That’s ends and goals that they want to to the domestic abuses that had taken the simple part. achieve. In this respect men can be, place within the childhood homes and many are, correctly considered 1 www.object.org.uk 32 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 feminist. Symbolically this says is that consume a form of media such as beneficial for them to be women-only, feminism is for everybody. Where pornography that is so contemptuous I don’t see why in a properly organised there are feminist and women’s rights of women and girls. However, there feminist space, men cannot play many movements, they affect everyone, was little online that addressed this of the roles that female feminists of all genders. As such, it should be a phenomenon and provided a space do. An integrated movement brings movement that everyone can share in where men could read articles by checks and balances that assure rogue who acts towards an end of violence other men talking about these issues. or imposter men don’t take over. No and oppression against women. It was in response to this lack of one wants to see a feminist movement easily accessible discussion that The run by men; feminist men don’t want Of course there should be women- Anti Porn Men Project was created. a feminist movement run by men. only spaces and campaigns. But for With the Project we seek to provide But once involved, men can be useful the wider movement as a whole, an online forum for (mainly) men to the movement in a number of being inclusive of men can bring a to speak, discuss, and learn about ways, not least in reaching out to and few significant benefits. For a start porn, porn culture and the anti-porn challenging the sexist attitudes and it can bring more members. One of movement. And this is done within a behaviour of other men. the biggest barriers to the growth of feminist framework. the feminist movement is the image But the fact is that there are not enough that it is anti-men. An image that the From the very beginning we have men involved in the movement. There masculinist/“men’s rights” movement been completely committed to are alliances that can be built but heavily trades on. This puts off a lot including women in the project. Both haven’t been. So what’s stopping the of women -not to mention men- from symbolically and practically it is an movement in engaging with men? It’s participating in feminism, and being important factor in both ensuring not necessarily because men are not visibly inclusive of men is an obvious, that it is not forgotten that our interested. Often I think men who are pro-active, and effective method of analysis owes a huge amount to the interested in feminism can be unsure dispelling that myth. work of feminist women, and that of their place, and whether they’re men interested in feminist analysis allowed to be involved. I know it’s There is also a powerful and convincing are informed and influenced in their something that I felt when first looking debating position to be gained from thinking by feminist women who are into getting involved in activism. There being able to embody or practice writing and debating online now. are some really simple things that can some of the key principles and ideals be done about this. When advertising of feminism, namely equality, and that Further to this, offline, we have given an event or meeting that is inclusive equality works. Lastly, by including workshops at major feminist events of men, including “women and men men, feminists are not leaving the and support other feminist groups welcome” somewhere on promotional thinking of men – as a group - behind working on similar issues in a variety materials can be really simple and in terms of their development of of ways. The Anti Porn Men Project surprisingly effective in attracting feminist thought. If men’s thinking also gets many of its followers and men. is left behind, as it were, by a lack of contributors through referrals from engagement with feminist thought I other feminist groups both in the UK But the other and more significant don’t believe we will ever see an end and further afield who work on related reason why many men don’t get to patriarchy, or at least it will be a far issues. involved in the feminist movement longer time before we do. is because they think that it’s not Men can have an important role relevant to them, and in some cases as Men are useful, men have things to to play in the struggle for gender we have heard today with the “men’s offer the movement, and how are we equality. And these roles should be rights” movement, men can even going to end violence against women played alongside and amidst feminist consider feminism as not irrelevant, if we don’t engage with members of women. As someone who has both but actually as something directly bad the social group that is committing worked and volunteered for different for men. the violence? Without challenging and feminist organisations in the UK before changing the mentality and behaviour setting up The Anti Porn Men Project, There is, however, a very direct of men, violence against women will I have seen that this approach does approach that can make clear why not be eradicated. And it is in directly work. Separate men-only feminist feminism is immediately relevant, but challenging men that male feminists groups can work well in some cases also beneficial to men. The fact is that can be really useful. This is something for consciousness raising among peers a huge number of problems which that we have put into practice in The or similar endeavours, but I would be are often cited by the “men’s rights” Anti Porn Men Project.2 fearful of what a large, active, and movement stem from problems autonomous men-only movement or with the dominant and traditional Many men experience a conflict brand of feminism could bring. masculinity in patriarchal culture. between their intellectual values of Hegemonic or traditional masculinity gender equality and the fact that they Other than in those organisations or is based on notions of toughness, roles where it is necessary or obviously strength, and aggression, and at its 2 www.antipornmen.org 33 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 centre is the idea of domination and though they are more likely to develop women and girls, it isn’t that great for control over women, children and cancer and 70%10 more likely to die anyone. Feminism can be a movement other men. from it,11 as well as being more likely for everyone, and that’s an attitude to die from both circulatory and that I think will take feminism into Toughness, strength, aggression and a respiratory diseases. the mainstream and onto some huge need to dominate other men get you successes. a situation where: almost all violent Many of these problems would be crime is perpetrated by men, and improved if traditional and sexist most of it is towards other men. Men gender roles and stereotypes were are more likely than women to be a rejected. Something feminists and victim of violence from strangers (78% gender equality advocates have been of victims are men)3 and violence from calling for, for a long time. What men acquaintances (58 per cent are men)4. who are unhappy about perceived This leaves a situation in England and gender inequality against men Wales where men make up 95% of the need is not masculinism or “men’s prison population of those countries5. rights” movements, but in fact more feminism! There has also been research which suggests that dominant masculinity While this analysis could be used to is anti-school in some ways, as confront the “men’s rights” activist, I studying often is seen as something think it can be put to possibly better which excludes those who do it from use in demonstrating to potentially spending time playing sport, fighting, feminist men that feminism is relevant breaking-rules and having girlfriends6. to them and is in fact a movement for This creates a macho-man/geek everybody! dichotomy which labels macho-men as masculine and feminises academic This is a sentiment that is implicit in achievement. some of the things that the Anti Porn Men Project is developing now. We It’s therefore not a huge surprise that are currently designing educational in the UK boys do worse than girls at workshops aimed at 16-17 year olds exams taken at 16 years old with 1 in which aim to address the role that 4 girls getting at least one top level mass media in the form of popular grade compared to less than 1 in 5 music, advertising and pornography boys7. Men also do worse than women plays in the formation of young in higher education in the UK where people’s ideas and attitudes about sex, less top degree classifications go to sexuality and gender roles. Sexism and men than to women8. traditional gender roles are pervasive in all of these forms of mass media and The masculine stereotype also says young people are a major consumer that men are tough and don’t need group for these industries. There help. So men visit their doctor 20% aren’t the voices out there opposing less frequently than women9 even this sexist education that young people are receiving from advertising, 3 UK’s Office for National Statistics: music, and porn, and this is something http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget. asp?id=1661 the Anti Porn Men Project and many 4 ibid other feminist groups in the UK are 5 NOMS, Prison Population and keen to see change. Accommodation Briefing. 22 May 2009 6 Renold, E. ( 2001) Learning the ‘Hard’ Way: Boys, hegemonic masculinity and So while the nature of patriarchy the negotiation of learner identities in the makes it inherently oppressive of primary school. British Journal of Sociology of Education. Vol. 22, No. 3. © Fawcett Society 7 24.4% of girls’ entries were awarded lifeandstyle/2009/jun/10/men-doctors at least an A grade compared to 18.7% of boys’ 10 Men are 40% more likely to die from entries: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/ cancer than women overall but when breast, education/education-news/girls-continue-to- prostate and other forms of the disease that outperform-boys-at-gcse-2060708.html affect one sex more than the other are taken 8 In 2003, 53% of first class degree out of the equation the gap widens, with men classifications went to women while 48% of 70% more likely to die from it. women got an upper- second-class degree 11 White et al. (2010) ‘Men’s Health compared to 40% of men: http://news.bbc. and the Excess Burden of Cancer in Men’ co.uk/1/hi/education/3399379.stm European Urology Supplements (Vol. 9, Issue 9 http://www.guardian.co.uk/ 3, Pages 467-470) 34 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 Freedom from Violence – A gender transformative violence prevention programme for young men in Sweden

Background networking, community mobilisation, and Executive Committee member of training, as well as developing and the global NGO alliance MenEngage, Men for Gender Equality (MfGE) implementing specific programs and coordinator of the alliance’s (in Swedish: Män för Jämställdhet) and interventions. The Macho regional European network. The is a national Swedish NGO working Factory (www.machofabriken.se) MenCare-campaign (www.men-care. to promote gender equality and to is an example of the latter; a film- org) is a recent example of activities prevent violence, with a special focus based group educational program being developed within MenEngage. on violence perpetrated by men and on masculinities, violence and on men’s violence against women. gender equality engaging junior high Currently, MfGE is developing a new The foundation of MfGE’s activities and high school students, which universal/primary violence prevention is an analysis and understanding of is a joint program between MfGE program for youth. The objective is to gender inequality and gender norms, and the Swedish national women’s integrate and test the effectiveness and specifically of social norms of shelter organisations Roks and SKR. of a so called gender transformative masculinities that associate men Another example of an intervention approach in violence prevention, and masculinity with power – over is Killfrågor.se (www.killfragor.se), meaning that dominant forms of women and over other men. The which can be approximately translated masculinities are openly and critically activities of MfGE aim to change social into English as ‘BoysQuestions.com’. reflected upon and challenged as norms of manhood and to increase This is a service-based intervention one of the main components of the the engagement of men and boys in allowing boys aged from 10 to 18 to program. The project, called Freedom gender equality. By doing so MfGE chat or email about life issues over from Violence, was initiated in strives to complement existing gender the Internet with adult volunteers September 2010, and is funded by the equality strategies that focus on the that have received training on The Swedish Inheritance Fund. empowerment of women and girls. gender equality and social norms of masculinities. During the first year of the project, The activities of MfGE comprise a thorough inventory of existing advocacy at the policy level, MfGE is moreover a Steering Group knowledge was carried out with

35 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 a focus on gender, masculinities understanding of social norms of socialisation remove and isolate many and violence prevention. Academic masculinities and of the dynamics of boys from their inner lives and vital research within the field was reviewed, the behaviour of boys and men is the contact with others, increasing the as well as existing violence prevention concept of hegemonic masculinities. risk of them committing violent acts programs and other related practices. At the centre of our understanding, (Feder, Levant, & Dean, 2007). The inventory encompassed the public and crucial for the development of our sector and civil society, including the strategies and practical interventions, A recent report from The Swedish private sector. It covered both Sweden are the ideas that 1) masculine Association of Local Authorities and and other countries. identities are constructed in relation to Regions about violence preventive a set of norms and values that are not work with men (Eriksson & Berg, 2011 With the knowledge and practices fixed, 2) that men position themselves - forthcoming) shows that there is no inventory as a foundation, the project regarding to a power hierarchy where evidence-based violence prevention has developed a first draft of its some masculinities are more dominant program in a Nordic context where prevention program, which initially than others depending on the context, gender and violence are linked is made up of a group educational 3) that the hierarchy among men and together. In the Scandinavian context, program engaging young men. During the related power relations are the as of 2007, none of the existing violence the Autumn of 2011 and early Spring foundation for the subordination of prevention programs have integrated 2012, a pilot of the draft program will women and that 4) working against gender in their interventions (Berg, be tested in a secondary school with sexism and homophobia have the 2007). This is interesting since a number of parallel groups of 14-15 same foundation (Connell 2005). gender transformative approaches year old boys. In total, approximately in interventions engaging men and 50 boys will participate in the pilot, Qualitative research about the boys are related to effectiveness in with 7-8 boys per group meeting eight understanding of gender and violence many health related areas, including times over a period of eight weeks, among youth shows that violence is violence prevention (Barker, 2011; and each session being 90 minutes part of everyday life (Berg 2005, cited Barker, Ricardo, & Nascimento, 2007; long. Based on learning from the pilot, in Johansson 2005). Aggression and Barker, Ricardo, Nascimento, Olukoya, the draft program will then be revised violent behaviour, especially for boys & Santos, 2010). The existing evidence- and in the next step implemented on a and young men, can be understood based programs in Sweden focus on larger scale within so called ‘Program as a normalised part of their bullying (eg. Olweus, 2001) but do Groups’. A study of the effectiveness everyday lives (Suurpää & Hoikkala, not include a gender perspective or of the intervention will be applied 2005; Burcar, 2005). The sociologist gender component. These findings are employing both quantitative and Burcar (2005) emphasises that the part of the rationale behind Freedom qualitative research methods. young men in her study talked about from Violence. violence as something normal, like In the third step we will analyse and eating or sleeping. A consequence Furthermore, a major theoretical revise the program once again before of normalised violence might be that influence in the project is learning further testing. Simultaneously, other boys have more difficulties in defining theory and behaviour analysis which preventive measures targeting the abuse and violent behaviour, both is widely used in evidence-based societal institution or community homophobic and sexualised forms prevention work (Ferrer-Wreder, as a whole in which the prevention of abuse, as violence. (Wittshovsky, 2004; Ferrer-Wreder & Andershed, program will be implemented - for 2005; Burcar, 2005). All this can have 2005). Recommendations for best example a school - will be introduced, serious consequences for both girls practices of violence prevention thus employing a so-called multi-level and boys. Apart from the risk of in schools include a theoretical approach. After a final revision of harming others, young men also place framework of both feminist theory the program, the goal is to develop themselves at risk of harm. with a critical understanding of men’s and implement a national education violence and a clear theory of social program to train the facilitators of the In literature focusing on adolescent change (Flood, 2010). Using learning violence prevention program. The final boys, emotional restriction, stoicism, theory and a functional contextual aim is to institutionalise the knowledge constant effort to maintain a public framework in prevention is a good developed by the project as well as image of toughness and confidence, way of predicting and influencing the program itself with a purpose to heterosexism and social teasing are behaviours and changing cultural secure long-term sustainability and all identified as important parts of the practices (Biglan, 2004; 2008). This is widespread dissemination. construction of gender norms for boys further emphasised by the fact that and young men (Oransky & Marecek, the empirical support for contextual Theoretical background 2009; Oransky & Fisher, 2009). Boys’ cognitive behavioural interventions acceptance of violence, aggressive is strong (Hayes, Villatte, Levin, & Our theoretical background is based conflict solving and negative social Hildebrandt, 2010). Furthermore, on feminist theory and critical studies behavior are much higher compared some small studies focusing on stigma of masculinities. One of the most to adolescent girls (Garaigordobil, related to psychological disorders, influential theories regarding our 2009). Traditional forms of gender race and obesity are promising (Lillis,

36 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

2007; Lillis & Hayes, 2007; Luoma, the same time, such a choice is never Authors: Kohlenberg, Hayes, Bunting, & Rye, made independently of the context. 2008; Masuda et al., 2007). Since both Klas Hyllander feminist theory and learning theory In our work with young men and Secretary-General are considered to be contextualistic women we understand that the key [email protected] (Fox, 2006), a theoretical and practical factor for any intervention is that integration might be a promising participants feel that it´s about them, Lena Berg approach (Kanter, Tsai, & Kohlenberg, about their reality, about their daily PhD sociology 2010). A constuctivist gender lives. Any intervention must, in order [email protected] approach (West & Zimmerman, 1987) to be successful, be relevant to its combined with behavior analysis participants. This means fostering Magnus Sjögren would be a development both for the inclusion and the possibility for Psychologist field of prevention and gender (Ruiz, participants to influence the agenda. [email protected] 2003). It is indeed a challenge to create such conditions in a context which in Peter Söderström Freedom from Violence - Mission itself often promotes the opposite, Project Leader impossible? i.e. exclusion and hierarchy through [email protected] gendered power relations. We, the team of Freedom from Violence, are four colleagues, who To tackle gender inequality is to deal Män för Jämställdhet have all, in different ways, worked with social inequality, unfulfilled Project Freedom from Violence in the field of gender equality issues democratic intentions and basic Klara Södra Kyrkogata 20 for more than ten years, at the human rights that still are neglected. 111 52 Stockholm, SWEDEN policy level as well as by carrying out It is to work with deconstructing http://www.mfj.se/frihetfranvald practical interventions. The last years power and status for the privileged. we have all increasingly focused on This is a mission that never goes by men´s violence and how it can be without resistance, irrespective of if prevented and brought to an end. the objective is to influence decisions We spend a great deal of our time and behaviour at the community level reflecting on which conditions make or at the individual level. behavioural change possible, and how we can create conditions, especially Therefore our mission as well as our for young men (and young women), to ultimate vision lies in the hands of see and critically reflect over gender our own dedication, of our mutual stereotypical norms and values, and support of each other, of the support how these affect their daily lives. from our mentors and partners, and Which conditions can make it possible from academics and activists working for young men and women to make in collaboration to keep on trying to the active choice to change their achieve change by promoting gender behaviour into a more gender equal equality in practice and counteracting practice? Behavioural change is always all forms of oppression and violence. a choice made by individuals, but at

References Berg, L. (2005). Om hon somnade skulle inte jag vilja ha sex – unga män samtalar om gränsen mellan fredligt ”sex” Barker, G. (2011). Evolving Men Initial Results from the och våldtäkt. I Social Medicinsk Tidskrift. Nr 6. Sid 536- International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) 547. (pp. 1-102). Berg, L. (2007). Nordisk forskning om prevention mot Barker, G., Ricardo, C., & Nascimento, M. (2007). Engaging våld bland unga - en betraktelse från en genusorienterad men and boys in changing gender-based inequity in horisont. Stockholm stad: FoU-Rapport. health: Evidence from programme interventions. World Health Organization. Biglan, A. (2004). Contextualism and the Development of Effective Prevention Practices. Prevention Science, 5(1), Barker, G., Ricardo, C., Nascimento, M., Olukoya, A., & 15-21. Santos, C. (2010). Questioning gender norms with men to improve health outcomes: Evidence of impact. Global Biglan, A. (2008). Changing Cultural Practices: A Public Health, 5(5), 539-553. contextualist framework for intervention research. Reno:

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Context. Lillis, J., & Hayes, S. C. (2007). Applying acceptance, Burcar, V. (2005). Gestaltningar av offererfarenheter... mindfulness, and values to the reduction of prejudice: A Sociologiska Institutionen, Lunds Universitet. pilot study. Behavior Modification, 31(4), 389-411.

Connell, R W (2005), Masculinities. 2:nd ed. Cambridge: Luoma, J. B., Kohlenberg, B. S., Hayes, S. C., Bunting, K., & Polity Press Rye, A. K. (2008). Reducing self-stigma in substance abuse through acceptance and commitment therapy: Model, Cohn, A. M., Jakupcak, M., Seibert, L. A., Hildebrandt, T. manual development, and pilot outcomes. Addiction B., & Zeichner, A. (2010). The role emotion dysregulation Research & Theory, 16(2), 149-165. in the association between men’s restrictive emotionality and use of physical aggression. Psychology of Men & Masuda, A., Hayes, S. C., Fletcher, L. B., Seignourel, P. Masculinity, 11(1), 53-64. J., Bunting, K., Herbst, S. A., Twohig, M. P., et al. (2007). Impact of acceptance and commitment therapy versus Eriksson, M. et al. (in press) Våldsförebyggande arbete education on stigma toward people with psychological med män. en kunskapsöversikt. Stockholm: Sveriges disorders. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 45(11), 2764- kommuner och landsting. 2772.

Feder, J., Levant, R. F., & Dean, J. (2007). Boys and violence: Olweus, D. (2001) Olweus åtgärdsprogram mot mobbning A gender-informed analysis Professional Psychology: och antisocialt beteende - en lärarhandledning. Research and Practice, 38(4), 385-391. Oransky, M, & Marecek, J. (2009). “I‘m Not Going to Be a Ferrer-Wreder, L. (2004). Successful prevention and youth Girl”: Masculinity and Emotions in Boys’ Friendships and development programs: across borders. New York: Kluwer Peer Groups. Journal of Adolescent Research, 24(2), 218- Academic/Plenum. 241.

Ferrer-Wreder, L., & Andershed, A. (2005). Framgångsrika Oransky, Matthew, & Fisher, C. (2009). The development preventionsprogram för barn och unga : en and validation of the meanings of adolescent masculinity forskningsöversikt. Stockholm: Gothia. scale. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 10(1), 57-72.

Flood, M. (2010). Advancing the field: best practice in Ruiz, M. R. (2003). Inconspicuous sources of behavioral schools-based violence prevention. Partners in Prevention control: the case of gendered practices. The Behavior Forum (Domestic Violence Resource Centre). Analyst Today, 4(3), 12-16.

Fox, E. J. (2006). Constructing a pragmatic science of Suurpää, L. et al (2005). Masculinities and Violence in learning and instruction with functional contextualism. youth culture. Finnish youth research network. Publ. 53. Educational Technology Research and Development, Helsingfors. 54(1), 5-36. Tull, M. T., Jakupcak, M., Paulson, A., & Gratz, K. L. (2007). Garaigordobil, M. (2009). Gender Differences in The role of emotional inexpressivity and experiential Socioemotional Factors During Adolescence and Effects avoidance in the relationship between posttraumatic of a Violence Prevention Program. Journal of Adolescent stress disorder symptom severity and aggressive behavior Health, 44(5), 468-477. among men exposed to interpersonal violence. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 20(4), 337-351. Hayes, S. C., Villatte, M., Levin, M., & Hildebrandt, M. (2010). Open, Aware, and Active: Contextual Approaches West, C., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1987). Doing Gender. as an Emerging Trend in the Behavioral and Cognitive Gender and Society, 125-151. Therapies. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7(1). Wittshovsky, E. (2005) Sexual harassment in schools. Johansson, T. (2005). Manlighetens Omvandlingar... Prevalence, structure and perceptions. Dep. of Public Stockholm: Diadalos. Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Arbetslivsin- stitutet. Stockholm. Kanter, J., Tsai, M., & Kohlenberg, R. J. (2010). The practice of functional analytic psychotherapy. New York: Springer.

Lillis, J. (2007). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Obesity-related Stigma and Weight Control. University of Nevada. Reno.

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The role of men and boys in achieving gender equality EWL Position Paper in view of the 48th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women - March 2004

Although this move can be seen as policy process. There is a tendency 1. Context - The move from progress, there are some important of policy-makers to decrease funding women-centred polices to ‘gender questions that still need to be for women-centred projects and equality’ strategies, including addressed in relation to ‘gender strategies, and transfer funding to gender mainstreaming equality’ as a strategic concept. One male-centred actions – in the name of the problems with gender focused of gender equality. It is important The increased focus on the role of polices for achieving equality between to keep in mind that in many EU men in relation to gender equality women and men is that it has often countries, the lack of basic services work reflects the move towards more meant excluding ‘sex’ as a concept, for women and girls is still a reality, ‘gender’ focused strategies, including and the policy reaction has been to and that governments continuously gender mainstreaming strategies, marginalize, or even make redundant fail to recognise the need for specific and away from a focus on sex-based women-centred equality policies1. services and projects for women. discrimination. ‘Gender equality’ as a Although the original intention was Parallel investments in women and concept identifies from the start that not to abandon these policies, but girls must therefore be ensured. socially constructed gender roles play to use a ‘dual strategy’ of specific a crucial role in shaping women’s - and measures/programmes and gender In conclusion, gender as a concept, and men’s - access to rights, resources, mainstreaming, recent shifts in gender mainstreaming as a strategy, and opportunities. Abandoning policies show that women-centred have proven to have ambivalent essentialist notions of ‘sex’ in favour policies are less accepted in the results in achieving equality between of a socially constructed ‘gender’ was women and men, and in redressing seen as a step forward in feminist 1 Sari Kouvo (2003), “Mainstreaming the unequal power relations between understanding. Gender and Integrating Men in the United women and men. Nations Equality Politics”; Faculty of Law, University of Gothenburg

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There is a need to reinforce the ‘dual Win-win approach/Partnership underline that men’s support for strategy’, and ensure the safeguarding approach gender equality is firstly placed on an of women-centred, empowering This strategy is based on the ethical level – as a moral obligation to strategies – including specific bodies understanding that women and men take action that will lead to increased and programmes - which remain should work together to achieve equality. Therefore, male-centred essential to counteract and addresses equality – and that men would approaches must firmly be based the systemic, structural inequalities also gain from increased equality on men’s responsibility to support between women and men. between women and men. However, equality between women and men, the approach has sometimes proven to equally participate in parenting and 2. Integrating men and boys to be over-consensual, making it care-giving, to stop men’s violence into the work to achieve equality difficult to address issues of power, against women, etc. This ethical- between women and men and to redress inequalities in access political obligation and commitment to resources, decision-making, and apply to governments as well, as The purpose of gender-based the issue of men’s violence against governments have the responsibility strategies – with an equal focus on women. to create policies that encourage more women and men- is to contribute to a equal gender relationships, including deconstruction of the current unequal Awareness-raising among men policies aimed at changing men’s power relationship between women This approach focuses on men and behaviour. and men and to break the cycle of boys and aims primarily to increase gender-based inequalities. Making the men’s understanding of themselves Although there is resistance from some link between our knowledge about the and their gender. This awareness- men, it is important to acknowledge gendered constructions of ‘women’ raising work is important, but often the that men (as women) are not a and ‘men’ to real and concrete link to political or strategic questions homogenous group, and that there is policies that contribute to achieving is too weak, i.e. on how to build a potential to mobilise more men in equality between women and men upon this increased understanding to support of gender equality actions and is still proving difficult. An increased implement programmes and policies policies. It also seems that men are interest and knowledge about how that would put an end to structural more interested in or ready to support male identities and masculinities are inequalities between women and some issues rather than others. produced and reproduced in different men. Research shows that younger men social, cultural, and political contexts, have a higher level of consciousness does not in itself contribute to greater Focus on the relationship between and support for a culture of gender equality between women and men. It the genders equality. Policies must build on this has proven difficult to make political This approach largely takes feminist positive force and include men and progress in solving such structural and gender theory as a basis boys in the movement towards gender problems as men’s violence against of analysis, and recognises that equality through partnerships and women, even with the help of a better inequalities between women and through critical reflection on gender understanding of the construction of men can only be addressed through relationships, in order to raise children masculinity, its relationship to female working with both women and in a culture of gender equality and to identities, and how this contributes to men. In this context, the increased marginalize those men that want to and perpetuates gender inequalities. understanding of the processes of hold onto their privileges and power. gender construction aims primarily at In analysing male identities and dismantling the unequal relationships 3. Some concrete measures masculinity there is a need to reinforce between women and men. It is this focusing on men and boys aiming the political and strategic importance approach that comes closest to at achieving equality between of working towards gender equality. A what feminist have argued to be the women and men structural analysis along with actions important components of a ‘gender that aim to redress the unequal power equality’ agenda for research and 3.1. Violence against women relationship between women and policies. men, and that aim to redefine the The extremely widespread relationship between women and 2.2. Overcoming men’s phenomenon of male violence against men must be placed at the centre of resistance women is a violation of women’s the strategy. human rights and fundamental Men’s resistance to change and freedoms, an obstacle to women’s 2.1. Different male-centred their resistance towards the feminist full participation in economic and strategies2 project has been studied by several social life and a direct contradiction to researchers. Although there might the goal of equality. Violence against be gains for men in a society with women is an expression of “(the) 2 This categorisation is based on the article “Mainstreaming Gender and Integrating equality between women and men in historically unequal power relations Men in the United Nations Equality Politics” by terms of life quality, some researchers3 between women and men, which Sari Kouvo (2003), Faculty of Law, University of Gothenburg 3 For example Michel Kimmel, researcher on masculinities and male identity. 40 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 have led to domination over and women. Moreover, the evaluation of example in military or civil capacity, discrimination against women by men these programmes indicates that their especially in areas of conflict and and to the prevention of women’s impact is limited. Further evaluation is humanitarian crises. full advancement.” (Paragraph 118 of needed, where their positive impact • Legislation, which puts an the Beijing Platform for Action). Male (or not) should be determined on end to men’s right to buy access to violence against women impacts on the basis of whether they ensure the women’s bodies by criminalizing the all women as it is part of the reality safety of women and girls. However, buying of sexual services should be of women’s lives. It encompasses perpetrator programmes should never adopted. In parallel programmes many forms, including but not limited be designed in a vacuum, but only and funding to promote alternatives to: domestic violence, rape, sexual as one component of an integrated for women in prostitution must be harassment, prostitution, trafficking, strategy on violence against women established. pornography and other sex “industry” with the overall aim of keeping women • International and national related acts. Male violence against safe through different systems, i.e. institutions have a responsibility to women is a continuum of physical, police, judiciary, primary health care develop rules, which prohibit male verbal and sexual assaults and acts services, prevention and education sexual exploitation of women when of sexual violence committed by men to men and boys about equality and their employees serve in military or against women with the explicit aim respect of women, and sanctions to civil capacity abroad, especially in of hurting, degrading, intimidating perpetrators. peacekeeping and humanitarian aid and silencing; taking away their ability missions. to control their life situation and, in • Sex tourism must be brought extreme situations, killing women. to an end through legislation and through programmes and actions Male-centred responses to male that increase men’s awareness about violence against women the human rights and dignity of all Increasingly, policies that aim to women. address male violence against women are being dealt with by focusing on 3.2 Equality between women conciliatory measures, which obscures and men in employment and at the structural dimension of male home violence against women. Examples of these policies can be seen in practices Inequalities between women and such as: men in the home and in employment • Mediation: There is growing are intrinsically linked. Women have concern that mediation is being historically been assigned to carry promoted, and in many instances is Trafficking in women and girls and the main responsibilities for care and replacing criminal justice sanctions prostitution – ending men’s right domestic work and still carry most in cases of violence against women, to buy women’s bodies of it today, while men have been particularly in situations of male Trafficking in women and prostitution working outside the home defined domestic violence. This is happening are violations of women’s human as the “breadwinners” for the family. despite research findings that show rights. Prostitution stands in This distinction has been underpinned that disclosure by women in situations complete opposition to women’s not only by gender stereotypes, of male violence must be handled social, economic, sexual and political religious beliefs and traditions and very carefully as it can lead to further empowerment. One of the most by conservative education, but most violence and death. Mediation as a important root causes of prostitution importantly by public policies. A means of resolving violence should and other forms of sexual exploitation culture where both men and women never be proposed as an option as it of women and girls is the persistence are equally considered as carers and presupposes that both women and of patriarchal ideologies - and men’s as actors in the paid economy must men are equally responsible for male perceived right to buy access to be encouraged. In order to break with violence against women. women’s bodies. Therefore, changing the inequalities in the home and at • Perpetrator programmes: the behaviour of men and boys is work, there is a need for proactive Perpetrators programmes for men key in order to counteract the sexual public policies in both the area of who are violent to women are now exploitation of women. Policy- employment and in the area of family/ seen as a new way to prevent and makers must be prepared to take a care. eliminate men’s violence against stand against the sexual exploitation women. The term “treatment” is of women, including prostitution, For an equal sharing of care and often misleading, as men who are through challenging also the demand domestic responsibilities between violent to women are not generally side of the industry, i.e. the (male) women and men mentally ill, they are consciously buyers of sexual services. This must In order to achieve a more equal using their power and physical and apply not only within countries, sharing of care and domestic psychological violence to control but also to men serving abroad for responsibilities, some key policies

41 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011 need to be addressed. Men’s be mainly a men’s world. Strong age outside their school activities and responsibility for the care and legislation for gender equality is many women are interested in and/or upbringing of their children must be necessary to abolish discrimination of involved in sports. reinforced through public policy. women in the labour market. • National and international • Substantial parental leave • Gender equality plans sports organisations (the International rights must be accorded on an should be established at the level Olympic Committee, various individual basis also to fathers, as is of the workplace. These should be international sports federations, the case for mothers today. Campaigns developed in consultation with male etc) should develop programmes for and policies giving incentives to fathers and female workers, in order to gender equality, including positive to use their parental leave rights contribute to a reflection on the whole actions, if needed; and ensure should be put in place in countries structure of gender equality in the that they do not reinforce gender where substantial legal provisions work organisation. stereotypes. These organisations exist already. • Both workplace policies, as could and should also play a role in • Policies that reinforce well as public policies, must address disseminating alternative realistic traditional gender roles and division of the childcare needs of employees images of men and women. work should be avoided, for example (men and women). • Integrating a critical fixed and low levels of benefits for • In order to break the gender gender equality reflection in sports home carers. Instead, quality, and segregation in the labour market, associations is an opportunity to reach affordable childcare facilities and care mechanisms to counteract choices young boys and girls. Sports clubs facilities for other dependent people based on gender stereotypes must and associations with activities for should be developed in order to give be integrated into the educational boys and girls should develop their men and women a real choice about and lifelong learning programmes. knowledge and skills in detecting and how to share child rearing and other Stereotypes, often embedded in social counteracting gender stereotypes, caring responsibilities. legislation, not taking into account and formulate gender equality action • In cases of separation women and men’s actual capacities plans for the association. between two parents, the time must be abandoned, including those and energy invested in the actual related to physical capacity. Men The media and advertising upbringing of children should be should be actively encouraged to The media and advertising can play applied as criteria to determine choose professions and educational an important role in promoting custody rights and grant residence programmes currently dominated by alternative images of men and time, rather than emphasising women (health sector, education, etc). women based on equality. However, biological parenthood. Custody • Furthermore, women need to in the absence of strong policies and policies that automatically give rights be fully and equally represented at all commitments to gender equality, to one parent on the basis of his/her levels in trade unions and employers the media can unfortunately also biological parenthood, rather than associations, in order to enable a contribute to increased stereotyping their proven commitment to actively more critical reflection on the role and and sexism. participate in the upbringing of their position of women and men in the • All media should develop children, are counterproductive and labour market. a code of conduct and action plans do not encourage increased active for gender equality, including more parenting by fathers. 3.3 Breaking gender women in decision-making in the • The elimination of stereotypes stereotypes media. These plans should address about gender roles in the home, how men and women are portrayed, including domestic work should be Breaking gender stereotypes is a long what issues are raised and how, and in encouraged in the media, education process, which must be supported which ways the information provided material, toys etc. Research on the by more firm public policies in all support or not gender equality influence of those stereotypes and areas (parental leave arrangements, developments, and the breaking of how to counteract them should be legislation on women in decision- gender stereotypes. Public service promoted and publicised. making, etc). However, in order to media should be taking a lead in this mobilise men for gender equality, process. Gender equality on the labour some particular areas and actors • Specific training on gender market can play an essential role in breaking equality issue and the treatment of the Without the elimination of all forms of gender stereotypes. image of women and men should be discrimination against women on the given in journalists’ schools and other labour market (including the gender Sports media related training establishments. pay gap, unequal representation in Sport is still a male dominated domain, • Sexism in both advertising decision-making, the question of both when it comes to athletes and the media should be prohibited part-time work, pensions etc) gender and coaches, but also as spectators as racism is prohibited in national equality goals will not be achieved. and consumers in the sports legislation in many countries. However, the work place and the entertainment industry. On the other institutions linked to the workplace hand many children, both boys and (trade unions, etc) continue to girls, are involved in sports at an early

42 European Women’s Voice - AUTUMN 2011

3.4 Education systems should be obligatory in all teachers’ issues of the sexual behaviour and education programmes. Training for the sexual practices of men is relevant Intervention in the education system teachers on gender equality as part of to shape more equal relationship is a very important tool to raise their life long learning should also be between women and men. awareness and influence boys and put in place. young men, and eventually to change • Institutions of higher Prevention of HIV/AIDS and men’s behaviour towards one that education should develop gender Sexually Transmitted Diseases supports equality between women equality- and feminist perspectives (STDs) and men. in all fields, including in research In order to take effective action • Ministries of education should activities. to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS develop a gender equality plan, which • Educational institutions at and STDs, policies targeting men’s covers the whole range of issues all levels must ensure that girls and sexual behaviour and responsibility related to the educational system. women enjoy a non-sexist learning must be put in place. Good practices The plan should clearly indicate how a environment. Sexual harassment and developed in this area should be gender perspective be integrated into all expressions of male power over shared and spread between countries, all educational activities and material women, including degrading language and adequately funded. at all levels, and in the educational and sexist insults, must be prohibited • Programmes working towards organisation (recruitment, staffs’ skills in schools. developing greater responsibility development, etc). The plan should among men in relation to their sexual demonstrate how the educational 3.5 Sexuality, and reproductive behaviour, including a commitment to system would play its role in socialising rights and health protect the health and choices of their boys (and girls) towards behaviours sexual partners should be established and values based on gender equality. Gender identities and the relationships at international, national, and local • Specific courses on gender between women and men are closely levels. equality issues, should be developed linked to the construction of sexuality at all levels in the education system, and sexual practices, and also of Reproductive rights and health and integrated into the obligatory sexualised violence. Many women Patriarchal ideologies are at the heart curricula. Specific gender equality around the world are denied control of denying women’s rights to control educational actions and courses, over their bodies from a very early age their own bodies when it comes to targeting boys and girls respectively as and throughout their whole adult lives. deciding freely if and when to have well as together, should be developed. International laws define the human children. These courses must include equality rights for both men and women • Campaigns and laws breaking between men and women in relation to be informed about, and to have with patriarchal ideologies must to sexual behaviour and practices. access to safe, effective, affordable be put in place, to ensure that men • Pre-school pedagogy based on and acceptable methods of family fully recognise and respect women’s gender equality should be put in place planning of their choice. The sexual rights to decide if and when to have and apply to all subsidised childcare experiences and reproductive life of children, and that women have access institutions. women are too often determined to the contraception of their choice, • Specific courses on gender by men, often denying women the and access to safe and legal abortion. equality as well as the integration of a possibility of a satisfying and safe gender equality perspective in all areas sexual life. Therefore, addressing

43 Changing men’s perception on male and/or to distort the concept of gender ••• and female sexuality equality. For example, in some cases men’s groups have been arguing that © EWL 2011, Creative Commons The way men and women’s sexuality is they have been ‘marginalized’ in the Unless otherwise indicated, all the articles in this publication are authorised for socially constructed serves to maintain movement towards greater equality reproduction, upon the condition that inequalities between women and men. between women and men, arguing that the European Women’s Lobby and article Pornographic production is sometimes men are ‘discriminated’ against in the author(s) are properly credited. the only ‘sexual education’ of boys, and movement towards gender equality. In The opinions expressed in this publication is totally contradictory to the aim of reality, very few men have yet seriously engage only their authors. constructing a male sexuality based on been interested in mobilising for equality equality and respect for women. Actions between women and men, and women’s ••• that challenge stereotypes of men’s (and activists have often welcomed the ones women’s) sexual behaviour are essential, that have done so with great enthusiasm. With the support of: in order to develop a culture where women’s and men’s sexuality are equally Support to civil society, and in particular valued, where women and men have to women’s organisations, is vital to equal choice, and where the safety of create greater awareness in society This publication is supported by women and men is guaranteed. about issues of equality between women DG Employment, Social Affairs and • Sex education programmes and men. Supporting actions that target Equal Opportunities of the European Commission. Its funding is provided for should be put in place for boys and girls and/or involve men and boys in the move under the European Community as an obligatory part of the education towards equality between women and Programme for Employment and Social curricula – focusing on the social men is an important part of a strategy Solidarity (2007-2013). This programme construction of sexual behaviour, and that must remain multifaceted. was established to financially support the implementation of the objectives of the gender identities. These must include • In order for actions by men European Union in the employment and a zero tolerance for all forms of male or targeting men to build further and social affairs area, as set out in the Social sexual violence, and be based on the develop the legitimate claims for equality Agenda, and thereby contribute to the principle of equality between women as expressed by the women’s movement, achievement of the Lisbon Strategy goals in these fields. For more information see: and men in sexual relationships. male initiatives should indicate how http://ec.europa.eu • Male perpetrators of sexual they work in partnership with women’s The information contained in this violence should be increasingly pursued organisations and feminist actors. This publication does not necessarily reflect and convicted for their crimes in order would also guarantee that we do not the position or opinion of the European to give clear signals to men that violence support networks that organise as men Commission. against women is always unacceptable in order to act as obstacles to a gender behaviour. All professionals involved in equality agenda. the process (police, prosecutors, judges, • More space for meetings and etc) must be fully aware and trained to partnerships between men interested in fulfil this task. supporting the gender equality agenda, ••• and women’s associations/ feminist 3.6 Civil society and social actors, should be made available at all Editorial and publication coordination: Pierrette Pape, Leanda E. Barrington-Leach movements levels. & Altamira Guelbenzu

In recent years there has been increased Graphic design: Aurore de Boncourt & attention (and funding) given to men Leanda E. Barrington-Leach organising together in relation to gender Translation: Marthe Fates, Abigail Hunt, equality issues. Some of these projects Veronica Kelly, Rachel Minto & Pierrette have been successful in promoting Pape a greater awareness among men of gender equality issues, while a few ••• have been used as platforms to work EWL President: Brigitte Triems against the gender equality agenda EWL Secretary General: Cécile Gréboval