CariMAN: Engaging Men in Advocacy

Thomas John HolmesGuidance Counsellor

President, CariMAN (Dominica) Chapter Inc.

Caribbean Male Action Network (CariMAN) is a Regional Organization represented in twelve English –Speaking Caribbean countries.

CariMAN creates space for boys and men to discuss issues that challenge their well-being and also share best practices.

CariMAN collaborates with women’s groups and organizations to reduce and end GBV

Funded partners: UNFPA and UN Women

CariMAN: Who are we?

A community of caring men, committed to partnering with women, to create a just world where all people achieve their fullest potential.

Vision of CariMAN

To engage Caribbean men in the examination of existing beliefs and norms, the promotion of respect for diversity, and the development of new paradigms and competencies, thus creating opportunities to negotiate new relationships in order to achieve gender justice, social harmony and peaceful partnerships.

Mission of CariMAN

We affirm the principles of gender equality and that Caribbean men and women should work together

We will encourage Caribbean men to be committed to their families

We know that Caribbean men can affirm their spiritual beliefs…

We will encourage Caribbean men to be responsible and accountable for their behaviour

Principles of CariMAN

Engage men in self awareness and values clarification

Engage men to identify conceptual conflicts and cognitive differences that then allows a space for reflection and possible change.

Engage men to be voices for social justice, including gender justice

CariMAN engaging Boys and Men

Launching of CariMAN created awareness of men meeting the needs of self and others

IMD brought together sons and fathers as an expression of responsibility and accountability

Working with men/women’s organizations to reduce Gender Based Violence

CariMAN : Lessons learnt

Showing love on Mothers’ Day & Fathers’ Day

Helping young males at school to embrace non-violence (Partners for Peace Programme)

Facilitating membership self-awareness

CariMAN: Lessons learnt

CariMAN (Dominica) Symposium on Violence :

1. Prison Project: Reactive and pro-active

2. Family values: Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship

3. Music: Engage young males in positive lyrics

4. Anti-Bullying School Project: Uncover it and fix it…Do not deny it

Collaborating with Agencies and Organizations to end Violence

To be true to its principles including diversity and inclusivity

To bring the many differing ideas, views, perceptions, prejudices and beliefs together

To win hearts and minds of men and able to influence change of attitudes and behaviours

Being accepted without being affiliated unnecessarily

Challenges for CariMAN

Be agents of change: be part of the solution Establish and promote peace in homes,

communities, the Region, the World Collaborate to reduce/end GBV Stop bullying before it escalates to

uncontrollable level Create Self-Awareness Know the facts

Reasons for Advocacy

Sexual assault…it’s a violent crime of power, control and dominance http://www.crisisconnectioninc.org

Every 45 seconds someone in the United States is sexually assaulted

1 out of every 7 women currently in college has been raped, however, 9 out of 10 women raped on campus never tell anyone about the rape

More than 61.5% of rapes are never reported

Why should men be an advocates?

48% of adolescent girls report sexual initiation to be forced or somewhat forced in 9 Caribbean countries

Approximately 28% of rape victims are raped by their husbands, 35% by an acquaintance, and 17% by a relative other than spouse

One in three women in the Caribbean on average will experience domestic violence

Why should men be advocates? (CONT”)

Withdrawal Aggression Anti-social behaviour Poor academic performance Resort to bullying Depression Demonstrate control over peers/siblings Forced pregnancy Exposed to sexually transmitted infections

Effects of Gender-Based Violence

Men can help by… acquiring an understanding of gender relations developing a sense of self-worth developing the ability to generate choices organizing and influencing the direction for

social change to create a more just social and economic order

Men can end Gender-Based Violence

Acknowledge that male dominance and unhealthy manhood are the basis for VAW

Take up responsibility and be accountable

Acknowledge that we are guilty of practices that oppress, suppress and marginalize women

What else can men do to eliminate Gender-Based Violence

Have courage to challenge practices and belief systems that reinforce and perpetrate the lowered status of women

Teach boys respect and tolerance

Believe that GBV is an unacceptable choice

What else can men do to eliminate Gender-Based

Violence (cont’)

A court-based 16-week curriculum for men who have been violent towards women

Designed to encourage men in being accountability for their actions and support them in achieving violence-free lifestyle

Based on the premise that violence is:… a choice… it is intentional, and,… it is unacceptable

UN Women Partners for Peace Intervention Programme

Allow for best practices and learning from others

Establish respect for self and others Create awareness of collaboration with organizations with similar purposes

Establish a peaceful and safe environment for everyone to reach their true potential

Benefits from advocacy

To be true to its principles including diversity/inclusivity

Deviation from the Vision, Mission and Principles of CariMAN

Non-involvement of members in activities

Rejection from other men and the public

Challenges to Advocacy

We men need to examine ourselves and our beliefs

We men need to review and understand our values and attitudes

We men must be responsible and accountable for our actions and non-actions

We men must acknowledge that male dominance and unhealthy manhood are the basis for Violence Against Women

How can men be advocates

We men must respond to the call to form or join an groups or organizations that advocate the end of all forms of violence

We men must teach our boys respect and tolerance

We men must be role models Let spirituality be an important aspect of life We men to understand the reason for change

How can men be advocates (cont’)

What action can I ……................ take to be an effective advocate to bring about the desired change for a peaceful, non-violent self, family, community, Bahamas, Caribbean Region, and world?

My Question for Self Reflection

Thank youFor your welcome, participation and

the resolve to be an active Advocate