Men masculinities and development: broadening our work towards gender equality.

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of men in redressing gender inequalities by exploring the meanings and uses of masculinity. Discussions on masculinity provide a place in which mens involvement in producing and challenging inequalities and inequities in gender and other social relations can be investigated. In this paper masculinity is defined in terms of biological determinism or essentialism cultural or social constructionism and masculinity as a discourse of power. The uses of masculinity are examined in the context of power and patriarchy; production and social reproduction; poverty; governance; violence and conflict; health; and workplace and organizations. Thinking about masculinities and mens role in working towards gender equality is relatively new in the development field. Therefore continued efforts should be made to publicize and advocate for the importance of mens responsibilities and roles in work towards gender equality in the international fora local and national policy debates and development programming. It is believed that making masculinities visible and men more conscious of gender as it affects their lives and those of women is a first step towards challenging gender inequalities.