Masculinities, conflict and peacebuilding: perspectives on men through a gender lens

Research tells us that socially constructed gender norms which associate masculinity with power, violence and control can play a role in driving conflict and insecurity.

Examining the reasons behind this, ‘Masculinities, conflict and peacebuilding’ aims to advance discussions about integrating a masculinities perspective into peacebuilding policy and practice. It examines existing INGO programmes that promote non-violent and gender equitable masculinities and poses key questions about how these can be further developed to challenge the gender norms which drive conflict and insecurity.

Masculinities, conflict and peacebuilding makes recommendations to key actors, including:

• examine gender perspectives during conflict analysis, looking at men and boys from a gender viewpoint
• develop theories of change and pilot programming approaches that begin challenging masculine gender norms
• mainstream a masculinities perspective in international security and development interventions, examining how activities are influencing masculinities
• advance the women, peace and security agenda, as efforts to promote and realise women’s rights and efforts to break the links between gender norms and violence should be mutually reinforcing.

Download Masculinities, conflict and peacebuilding

Download Masculinities and peacebuilding: A policy and programming agenda, our shorter briefing summarising this report

“Truly taking a 'gender perspective' requires critical examination of the roles and experiences of men and boys in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.”

Hannah Wright