Men must teach each other that real men do not violate or oppress women – and that a woman’s place is not just in the home or the field, but in schools and offices and boardrooms.”
Too often, boys and young men are taught to equate masculinity with the use of violence and dominance over women and girls. Too often, such behavior is met with silence and is tolerated by other men. This only serves to normalize gender inequality and negative stereotypes.
Men have a crucial role to play as fathers, brothers, friends, decision makers, and community and opinion leaders, in speaking out against violence against women and girls and ensuring that priority attention is given to the issue. Importantly, men can provide positive role models for young men and boys, based on healthy images of masculinity.
For many years, women have led efforts to prevent and end violence, but today more and more men are adding their support to the movement. As part of the growing efforts to include men as part of the solution to prevent and end violence against women
“Young people were born with the right to participate. Being enrolled with a movement, project, or their own initiative is basically setting this right in the right place!”
Young people are a driving force for change and they use their knowledge power and passion to challenge negative attitudes, gender stereotypes and behavior that can lead to violence.
UNITE Youth brought together youth activists from around Jamaica to create a unique network to end violence against women and girls. As a truly space, this Forum incorporated workshops and learning sessions, in which participants shared experiences, ideas and their passion for human rights. In the increasingly energized atmosphere, young people found it easy to cross any barriers posed by language and culture, to form a close-knit group with ambitious ideas.
Unite Youth and established plans to take their work forward to emphasizes the crucial role of youth as agents of change and recognizes the importance of spaces that enable youth to share their experiences, ideas and challenges without fear of discrimination or stigma.
Artists use various media to provide a collective “voice” calling for an end to violence against women and girls.
Songs, acting, poetry and the visual arts become powerful tools in challenging stereotypes and changing perceptions and behaviour. This is why they have been invited to play one of the key roles in the STOP THE VOLIENCE: Unite The Heart Of The People .
It has been active in the country to promoting messages on violence against women and girls through song, video and art work.
GET INVOLVED
MEN LEADERS
UNITE YOUTH
UNITE ARTISTS
