Partnerships: Moving Beijing Forward

UNESCAP High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, and its Regional and Global Outcomes
Bangkok, 7-10 September 2004

Side Event on Tuesday 7 September 2004, 12.00 to 13.15

"Young Men Speak Out"

UNESCAP is organizing a side event titled “Young Men Speak Out” at the upcoming High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, and its Regional and Global outcomes in Bangkok, 7 – 10 September 2004. The event will take place on 7 September, 2004, and will consist of a panel of five young men aged 19-24 years who will share with the audience how they feel about their role in achieving gender equality, the empowerment of boys and men, their perceived gender roles, as well as issues around violence against women. The panel will explore what boys think they can do, how they feel about gender stereotypes, and what kinds of support they feel they need from society and institutions. Dr. Michael Flood, an expert on men and masculinities from the Australia Institute, will moderate the panel discussion.

Young men and boys are much needed and valued partners in promoting gender equality and breaking down long held gender disparities, especially relating to violence against women. Forms of masculinity are an important aspect of the cycle of violence against women, violent behavior, and patriarchal attitudes that discriminate against women. The socialization process of boys creates norms of gender inequality very early in life. In many societies, boys are raised with an idea of an entitlement to power. These imbalances in power based on gender often work to hinder and even dismantle opportunities for women and men’s peaceful and harmonious coexistence.

The role of men in promoting gender equality and eliminating violence against women has been highlighted in several United Nations documents and declarations, including the Beijing Declaration, in which participating governments expressed their determination to encourage men to participate fully in all actions to end violence against women. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action emphasizes the importance of working in partnership with men and involving men in actions aimed at achieving gender equality as well as mobilizing men’s groups against gender violence.