Fund for gender equality - new images of men

Background information

Many women and girls are affected by discrimination and violence because of their gender. At least one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence. Structural inequalities hinder their political participation and access to education, income and healthcare is difficult. In the province of Kwango (Democratic Republic of Congo), a quarter of the women interviewed in an informal survey conducted by a partner organization stated that they cannot ask their partner to use a condom. In all countries where our partners are committed to gender equality, we have to learn that after partial successes in gender equality policy, backlash tendencies undo much of what has been achieved.

Mission 21 can look back on a long tradition in which the organization has been committed to gender justice in general and specifically to women's rights at various levels. Gender justice is the guiding principle for all Mission 21 programs and projects, whether in Africa, Asia, Latin America or Switzerland. Mission 21 maintains a worldwide women's and gender network, is committed to empowering women so that women can also make decisions, but also to the promotion and visibility of women in leadership positions in the countries. Issues such as gender-based violence and the empowerment of women in the areas of education, securing livelihoods and peacebuilding are prioritized.

Men are important agents of change, as they can use their privileges to achieve gender equality. To achieve this, Mission 21 is supporting several projects this year with a focus on "Masculinities". All projects are about reflecting on the role of men in order to come closer to true gender equality and to counteract gender-based violence, among other things. Men who recognize entrenched role models can free themselves from their roles and patterns - and become role models for others. The aim is for men, whether as male leaders in partner churches or as members of society, to stand up for just gender relations and contribute to the elimination of all forms of violence. The annual theme of the Gender Justice Fund is redefined each year with the strategic aim of promoting innovative topics in the field of gender justice.

Objectives of the Fund for Gender Equality

• In addition, the cooperation programs respond to social developments that can reinforce gender inequality.
• Funding of innovative pilot projects with new approaches, new partners or new topics that have the demonstrable potential to strengthen the gender equality activities of the cooperation programs in the long term.
• Promoting the exchange between the project managers of the pilot projects and the
  Cooperation programs
  
  

Insights into pilot projects 2024

Study on positive masculinities in Cameroon

In Cameroon, the Fund for Gender Equality is financing a study on changes in images of men by our partner organization AIChrisWOV. The knowledge gained about new positive images of masculinity, which often stand in contrast to traditional expectations of men, will be used by AIChrisWOV and Mission 21 for future project development.

Gender justice for people in the diaspora in Kenya

In Mathare and Kibra, two suburbs of Nairobi, the Fund for Gender Equality is raising awareness among the population through advocacy meetings in local churches. Teaching materials are produced in gender training sessions and so-called "leaders" are trained for the individual groups. These include youth groups, church leadership and women's groups. In addition, young people and young adults are sensitized to gender justice and trained as community motivators.

Advocacy for positive masculinities in Nigeria

With the support of the Gender Equality Fund, the WGRDI organizes exchange formats with so-called traditional and religious leaders on positive masculinities, as well as an advocacy event for exchange with stakeholders to develop action plans. In the youth parliament, young people and young adults are sensitized to positive masculinities. At the same time, a weekly radio program raises awareness about the effects of negative masculinities.