Community perceptions on male involvement in advancing women empowerment initiatives. A case of Bindura.
- Author
- Tinashe Brian Chirau
- Title
- Community perceptions on male involvement in advancing women empowerment initiatives. A case of Bindura.
- Abstract
-
ABSTRACT
The study explored community perceptions on male involvement in advancing women empowerment initiatives in Bindura. The major aim of the study was to examine the psychological and social barriers inhibiting male involvement in advancing women empowerment initiatives in the community of Bindura. The research study utilized a case study as the research design. The research was qualitative in nature and drew on interviews and a focus group discussion for the purpose of data collection. A sample size of 25 participants was drawn from the target population and was utilised to collect relevant information to the study. The study employed the feminist theory / approach. The study unearthed that there is low male involvement in advancing women empowerment initiatives in Bindura. The study discovered that psychological barriers such as cognitive dissonance, perceived threat to masculinity or fear of loss of privilege, backlash and gender stereotypes hinder male involvement in advancing women empowerment initiatives. The study also revealed that social barriers such as societal norms and values, traditional gender roles, religious and cultural beliefs and practices, lack of knowledge and understanding, lack of awareness and conservatism as well as lack of inclusive spaces obstruct male involvement in advancing women empowerment initiatives. To add on, the study develops the EMPOWER Model which seeks to address the role of male involvement in advancing women empowerment initiatives. The study also puts across some recommendations to address these barriers. It recommends integrating gender education into school curricula and public awareness campaigns to challenge patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes and promote gender equality by virtue of establishing school programs that specifically target men and boys, encouraging them to become allies in women's empowerment initiatives. Moreover, there is need to develop programs that specifically target men and boys in Bindura community, encouraging them to become allies in women's empowerment initiatives. This means developing initiatives and utilizing the community engagement model that address issues such as male involvement in reproductive health, fatherhood, and economic empowerment of women. The community should establish safe spaces for men to discuss gender equality and women's empowerment, free from judgment so as to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and norms, promoting positive masculinity.
- Date
- JUNE 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
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advancing women empowerment initiatives in Bindura
community perceptions on male involvement
that psychological barriers such as cognitive dissonance
traditional gender roles
- Supervisor
- Mr. Peter Junior Njovu
- Item sets
- Department of Social Work
- Media
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Tinashe Brian Chirau