| 1- Men Beyond Bridges: gender, masculinities and HIV/AIDS in the context of male out-migration in Uttar Pradesh (2007) As part of its Work with Men, SAHAYOG was interested in exploring the linkages between gender, masculinities and HIV/AIDS in the context of male out-migration in Uttar Pradesh. Towards this, in March 2007, SAHAYOG started a literature review and analysis of current intervention strategies. The review was supplemented with field visits to three eastern UP districts where there is high out-migration as well as high incidence of HIV. Extensive focus group discussions were conducted with forty-three select local NGOs working at the grassroots’ level on HIV/AIDS. With the help of local networks of HIV Positive Peoples living in Uttar Pradesh twelve PLHA, of whom seven were women, were interviewed, all of whom, except two women, had first-hand experience of migration in the recent past. |
2- A Different Reality: Exploring Changes Around Men, Violence against Women and Gender Equality. (2007)
In 2005, a small qualitative study was conducted in collaboration with the University of Washington (Seattle, US) through the Centre for Health and Social Justice, New Delhi to understand the domains of change in men as a result of interventions and association with MASVAW. Using in-depth qualitative interviews and observations with nine men and their families and close associates, the study explored what kind of men joined MASVAW and why, what changes had occurred since then, what were the consequences of change, and what the tensions and risks were in the process of change. The study came up with six domains of change including a changed understanding of the meaning of violence, changed relationships with spouses and women in the household, improved management of conflict and anger, broader range of emotional expressions, leadership and mentoring roles with other men, and intervening in actual incidents of VAW to support the woman.
3- Realisations and Relationships
Men, Masculinity, and Violence Against Women: Analysis of an Intervention
Violence against women is a significant problem in all corners of the globe and is also seen as a widespread problem in India. Some efforts to reduce violence against women have started to engage men as activists in addressing this issue. The current study focuses on activists of Men's Action to Stop Violence Against Women (MASVAW), a network of male activists engaged in addressing gender-based violence in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The purpose of the study is two-fold: to determine the extent to which and how core MASVAW activists incorporate gender-equitable views and practices into their own lives; and to measure the influence of such men on the lives of men around them. The study included three groups: core activists within the MASVAW network (Group 1); men with whom the core activists had conducted outreach (Group 2); and a control group of men who had no contact with MASVAW activists (Group 3). Some of the domains that were explored included parenting, domestic work participation, husband-wife relationship, sexuality and masculinity. Men who had been the focus of MASVAW activism (Group 2) scored significantly higher on measures of gender- equitable beliefs and practices than men who had no interaction with MASVAW, suggesting that
MASVAW activism is successful in many domains. The MASVAW core activists scored highest of all, suggesting that core activists do incorporate gender-equitable practices and beliefs into their private lives. However there were some areas where even the MASVAW core activists had low scores suggesting need for additional inputs. (in progress ...)
4- Presently doing research on Men Can Care..............
