Local Authority accreditation, White Ribbon, United Kingdom

White Ribbon UK is a registered Charity since 2005, and works with partner organisations offering them accredited status as involving men in challenging male violence if they comply with the required criteria. Accredited organisations include large city councils, (Manchester and Leeds),Large County Councils (Lancashire, Cornwall), police forces in the UK, fire and rescue services, housing associations and health authorities, universities, music venues and sports clubs. White Ribbon’s UK’s main mission consists of reducing violence against women and girls and its consequences by engaging men and boys as “change agents” to influence the way men think and behave. Its theory of change is predicated on the idea that men and boys can be encouraged to see violence prevention as “their issue too”, and influence other men and boys not be part of the problem, and to be part of the solution.

• https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/

Presenter(s)

Engaging Young Men to Prevent Gender-Based Violence Against Women, MAVA, India

Men Against Violence and Abuse (MAVA) has been registered in 1993 and is India’s first organisation by men to stop and prevent gender-based violence and abuse of women and girls. MAVA's initiative aims to sensitize and mentor young men in their twenties to issues of gender, sexuality and masculinity, engage them in a wide range of activities and equip them with skills to communicate effectively with peers and other young men spreading messages on preventing gender-based violence on women. The initiative selects young men between 18-20 years studying in colleges and from varied socio-economic backgrounds and sensitizes them on gender issues using out-of-the box methods, enabling them to deconstruct toxic masculinity, self-introspect through a churn and reconstruct ideas about masculinity. The group of mentees, while being mentored by Team MAVA are trained to gradually communicate and engage fresh batch of male mentees using most of the tools learnt.

• http://www.mavaindia.org/

Presenter(s)

Fighting gender-based discrimination resulting from patriarchal attitudes and related social norms, Gambia

Tostan is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation with its headquarter in Dakar, Senegal. Its core business is the Community Empowerment Program (CEP), which is a three-year, human rights based, non-formal education program that facilitates community-led development and social progress. This programme includes information sharing in a non-judgmental, inclusive way to create open dialogue around issues of education, health, environment, governance, economic growth, and gender and social norms. Community members participate in structured adult and adolescent classes led by a trained facilitator. In parallel, communities create 17-member democratically-selected Community Management Committees (CMCs) trained in project management and social mobilization skills by Tostan. These committees continue to lead development projects that are relevant to their community needs, long after the community has completed the Tostan programme. Partners include the government of The Gambia through the Women’s Bureau, local government officials, and local authorities including women associations and extension workers. Our primary partners are the communities we work in. Tostan is also supported by international organizations such as UNICEF, NORAD, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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