Description

UNICEF correspondent Nina Martinek reports on the UNICEF event 'Boys and Men: Partners for Gender Equality'.

Transcript

Involving Boys and Men in the Promotion of Gender Equality Nina Martinek: You’re watching UNICEF television. Agenda equal society requires boys and men to think and act in new ways. Traditional images of boyhood and manhood need to be challenged so relationships with girls and women can be positively reshaped. At UNICEF house, a panel of experts gathered to discuss ways to make this happen. Ravi Karkara: And we’re not only talking about just working with men but we’re also talking about working with boys in early years so that the younger boys can understand what gender equality values and norms, so that adolescent boys can start practicing gender equality and as we become older as youth and men in the middle age, we actually are way much shouldering the responsibility of social justice. Nina Martinek: The panelists share their experiences on working with the women’s movement and furthering partnerships with boys and men. Michael Kaufman: But because first all, the impact to the women’s movement that has worked probably heroically including men and the women in this room for decades now; and have tilled the soil, and so when finally we come along as sort of dropping a seed in, then the seed has to do with men and boys, it is ready to grow. Nina Martinek: Gender equality requires large changes in the way boys and girls are treated, perceived and educated. It is important that this begins in early childhood. Christine Ricardo: Doing this, we’re working with the education sectors in Brazil and India to think about how within the school settings to integrate some of these strategies and activities for engaging young people, young men and young women and questioning some of these rigid gender norms and developing the skills to act in more empowered, in more equitable ways. Nina Martinek: Fact is contributing to gender inequality are complex. To evenly distribute power between girls and boys, women and men, social transformation, poverty reduction and law enforcement must take place simultaneously. Transformation of gender relations leads to the empowerment of girls and women which ultimately empower society as a whole. This is Nina Martinek reporting for UNICEF television. Unite for children.