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Men, Masculinities, and Feminist Foreign Policy

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laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · 7d

#FeministForeignPolicy
Efforts to work with men/boys must explicitly aim to dismantle #masculinities & power inequalities, promoting equitable, caring, compassionate #manhood is a strategic means to achieve #genderjustice, not an end in itself #FFPconference
Read more recommendations in new report☝🏽

laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · 7d

what do #FeministForeignPolicy say abt the engagement of men/boys?
@menengage.bsky.social launched the report today, as Govts & CSOs come together in France @ #FFPconference
menengage.org/resources/me...
Feminist-transformative approach2work w/men-boys can add value to achieving transformative aims

A review of how governments with feminist foreign policies address the engagement of men and boys. Over the past decade, Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) has grown in prominence in the international rela...

Only through collaboration can we overcome obstacles to gender justice: A message from the global...

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laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · 9d

Allies, beneficiaries & agents of change continuum:
ALLYSHIP's become matter of ‘convenience’ rather than 1 of accountability-vital that men/boys begin to see that they too benefit from gender equality-further requires them to take on appropriate responsibility to join hands to dismantle patriarchy

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laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · 13d

For the past 2 decades, a community's been growing around the world @menengage.bsky.social, of people-organisations who share a common purpose-to tap into the potential of men/boys to be agents of change for the achievement of #genderequality #transformmasculinities
menengage.org/stories/only...

This message – from our Global Co-Chair Samitha Sugathimala & outgoing Co-Chair Festus Kisa; and Co-Directors, laxman belbase & Joni van de Sand – is an excerpt from the MenEngage Alliance report, Bui...

10 Ways to Engage Men and Boys to Counter Backlash: Fact sheet and guidance for activists, academ...

laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · Sep 30

Backlash against #genderjustice feels like the new norm, but how can we engage men & boys to be part of the solution?
Men, #Masculinities & Countering #Backlash Collective produced a new guide
𝟭𝟬 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗻 & 𝗕𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵, to respond to this question
menengage.org/resources/10...

An introduction to the connections between men, masculinities, and backlash – co-authored by the Men, Masculinities, and Countering Backlash Collective. Engaging men and boys is crucial for countering...

The Gender and Security Agenda | Strategies for the 21st Century | Cha

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MenEngage Alliance @menengage.bsky.social · Jul 30

How we understand masculinity is deeply connected to the climate and environmental emergency. Writing for uk.theconversation.com, Michael Joseph Richardson explores the links. Check out the full article here: theconversation.com/why-modern-m...

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Why modern masculinity is a climate issue. What does masculinity have to do with the climate? A surprising amount.

For example, significant figures in the manosphere combine misogyny with anti-environmentalism. Think Andrew Tate boasting of his fleet of cars and his private jet. And because care is central to climate action, it may be seen as “women’s work”.

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MenEngage Alliance @menengage.bsky.social · Aug 4

Join us in Celebrating Young Feminist Leadership on International Youth Day | 12 Aug

📅 Date: 12 August 2025
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM IST / 8:00 AM EDT
📍 Platform: Zoom
🔗 Register here: bit.ly/12IYD25

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laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · Jul 31

The Gender and Security Agenda: Strategies for the 21st Century is NOW OPEN ACCESS www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-edi...

This book examines the gender dimensions of a wide array of national and international security challenges. The volume examines gender dynamics in ten issue

www.taylorfrancis.com

laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · Jun 16

Masculinities isn't worth saving, but needs to be transformed in ways that it brings humanity among those embodying such stereotypical gender norms. Men/boys do worth saving, as gendered beings, and can be worked to make them more filled with humanity, with compassion, just values, love and empathy

Summary Report: MenEngage Alliance joins feminist movements at CSW69 - MenEngage

laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · Jun 4

UN member states’ve committed to policies & programs to ‘engage men & boys in efforts to achieve full, effective & accelerated implementation of #BPoA, incld. by addressing gender norms & #stereotypes
🌎al policy trends @menengage.bsky.social advocacy efforts #CSW69 menengage.org/resources/me...

Transforming masculinities. Supporting gender equality.

‘Killing is part of their life’: the men raised on violence who are both perpetrators and victims as South Sudan faces return to civil war

laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · Jun 3

Killing's part of their life-the men raised on violence who're both perpetrators & victims as SouthSudan faces return to civil war "When I tell them to stop conflict, we've homes & families who listen & stay calm, but other individuals like young men don’t listen"
theconversation.com/killing-is-p...

Attempts to encourage peaceful dialogue are hampered by the generational legacies of ethnic conflict, including South Sudan’s long history of violent cattle raiding.

theconversation.com

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MenEngage Alliance @menengage.bsky.social · May 30

Can studying literature be an antidote to #misogyny? A thought-provoking piece in @tesmagazine.bsky.social‬ shares how stories can nurture empathy and emotional literacy. With UK boys in the increasingly choosing STEM over literature, this article says why this trend should shift: buff.ly/D5IMu7l

My issue with this is that in a world of self-styled misogynist influencers, like Andrew Tate, it is more important than ever that boys develop their emotions, build empathy and learn to communicate well.

The study of English literature helps boys to understand character motivations and nuances of behaviour, encouraging them to consider their own feelings and those of others - skills that can help to prevent them from being drawn into the “manosphere”.

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MenEngage Alliance @menengage.bsky.social · May 30

🎥 Watch the full webinar “Reaching Men & Boys: Lessons from Powerful Campaigns” on the MenEngage Alliance YouTube.

📲 Link in bio to read all 7 tips.

👀 Keep an eye on the MenEngage Alliance social media for future #CoLab sessions!

Presenting alternative narratives.
Showcasing positive examples of masculinity empowers change and solidifies men’s role in advancing gender justice.
Rather than positioning men as
‘problems to be fixed,’ presenting alternatives
enables men to see themselves as
vital, active, and accountable
participants in changing gender norms.
Saswati Chatterjee and David Garzon.

Building creative partnerships grounded in transformative values.
Creative alliances that harness the influence of film, music, and digital media can significantly
amplify the reach and impact of gender justice work, and are most
effective when grounded in transformative values.
- From CoLab session with Saswati Chatterjee and David Garzon

Making gender conversations inclusive.
Campaigns that reflect diverse lived experiences and expansive understandings of gender create space for more nuanced conversations
about power, privilege,
and stronger allyship.
- From CoLab session with Saswati Chatterjee and David Garzon

Navigating backlash: Embracing constructive conflict.
Navigating backlash and embracing constructive disagreement can create opportunities for learning and highlight where audiences may need more clarity.
Asking questions like, “What about this post upset you? Let’s talk about why,” often revealed that beneath the anger were real concerns—and at times, a willingness to reflect. - Saswati Chatterjee

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MenEngage Alliance @menengage.bsky.social · May 30

Pushback against #GenderEquality is real. The "war on men" narrative is radicalizing young men online.

How do we inspire boys & men to become allies for #GenderJustice?

💡🧵 7 tips from #MenEngageCoLab w/ Saswati Chatterjee (Breakthrough) & David Garzon (White Ribbon).

#masculinity

7 tips for calling men and boys in on gender equality through comms & campaigns

Authenticity is key. Authenticity means basing campaign content on topics that genuinely resonate with young men. On ”organic conversations” rather than messaging that feels forced or contrived - Saswati Chatterjee.
Addressing relevant topics and making them relatable has been key when making campaigns to call in
men and boys for gender equality - David Garzon.

Storytelling is important.
Storytelling that hits close to home can make a campaign powerful.
"Looking at the diversity of what storytelling is and what it can look like is very key," - David Garzon.
White Ribbon finds it important to address
the current rise in radicalisation,
anti-feminist sentiments and the growing influence of the manosphere using upfront storytelling.

Meeting men and boys where they are.
To effectively reach young men, gender justice messaging should be present
on the platforms they use every day.
Leveraging digital media is not just about
reaching a demographic—it’s about
understanding their world:
“What are they watching?
What formats do they like?
What are the issues that they care about?" Saswati Chatterjee.

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MenEngage Alliance @menengage.bsky.social · May 17

Today, on the occasion of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2025, we reaffirm our solidarity towards creating a world where the diversity of gender and sexual expressions are just simple, everyday, ways of being.

See our Statement here: bit.ly/2025idahobit

poster in salmon pink and bark brown colour celebrating International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2025.

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MenEngage Alliance @menengage.bsky.social · May 26

"I am working hard, and will continue till my last breath"

Dr Radha Paudel, @dignified_menstruation - Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation.

Read the full Meet a Member feature here: bit.ly/MaMRadha

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MenEngage Alliance @menengage.bsky.social · May 28

Misinformation and misogyny are spreading online faster than ever. Patriarchal narratives are moving from the fringes of the online world to the mainstream. 📱🌐
#Backlash #GenderEquality #Manosphere

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laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · May 19

@menengage.bsky.social statement on #IDAHOBIT 2025
"we reaffirm our solidarity & commitments as part of broader community to work with men, boys & people of all genders, to create a world where the diversity of gender & sexual expressions are just simple, everyday, ways of being"
bit.ly/2025idahobit

Critical Conversations | Petro-Masculinity: Unpacking Power in Gender and Energy with Cara Daggett

laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · May 15

Unpacking Power in Gender&Energy @wedo-worldwide.bsky.social
Dr. Daggett popularised term petro-masculinity weaving the analysis of FossilFuel exploitation, #WhiteSupremacy & #genderinjustice to explain the rise of authoritarian leaders, anti-gender & pro-fossil fuel narratives youtu.be/ZPh8s06My8I

YouTube video by Women's Environment and Development Organization

youtu.be

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laxman लक्ष्मण belbase बेल्वासे @laxb.bsky.social · May 13

States’ve the power to build resilience against radicalization through education systems- @ilbarrani.bsky.social
Advocated for proactive policies within #education systems & underscored the urgency of addressing online #misogyny at @oecd-ocde.bsky.social
10 Policy Recommendations bit.ly/10PolicyRecs

10 Policy Recommendations from lessons learned on effective transformative work with men and boys for sustainable gender equality - MenEngage

Transforming masculinities. Supporting gender equality.

bit.ly