Men Taking Action
For 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, DWS and other Yukon organizations working to prevent violence are creating spaces for learning more about how GBV works and what prevention can look like.
You are not alone. You deserve support.
As we have tough convos about violence and abuse, please take care of yourself. You are the expert in your life and know best how to take care - whether it’s reaching out to loved one, being on the land, taking time for yourself, or connecting with resources.
Image description: Digital image with text, “Men Taking Action, dawsonwomensshelter.com, @DWS_EndViolence” on a background of colourful northern lights.
MEN TAKING ACTION
Image created by SACHA
Image description: Infographic titled ‘Men Taking Action Against Gendered Violence’. Entire infographic text included in blog post.
We can do better. We can do more. Men can play a huge role in ending gender-based violence. Men are part of a solution; That means being prepared to interrupt, stand up to, and prevent violence in the spaces we work, live, hang out, and study in.
WHAT CAN MEN DO?
Listen to the women in your life and community
Really listen. What do they need? What are they missing? What needs doing? Where are the struggles and where are people thriving?
Learn about the struggles that have come before you
Learn more about power and privilege. Talk to other anti-sexist men about how they confront male privilege.
Look into your own life
Where do you have power? How have you used this power in the past? Manhood does not equal domination. Use the position you have to help make space for others to empower themselves. Inspire other men to consider consequences and embrace role modelling.
Stand up against sexism
Stand up against rape culture. Find your voice. Find out how to amplify the voices of women and survivors. Ask yourself if you are making a safer space for women in your life to find support. What are you reinforcing or silently supporting?
Prepare to make mistakes
Prepare to apologize. Prepare to listen and learn again, and again. Be aware of how much space you take up in the conversation.
Create the world we want
Create a space for men to talk, heal from sexism and take action. Encourage men to strive towards being difference-makers, embracing the power we have and the actions we can take. We are creating our world, in both the BIG actions, and also how we treat each other day to day.
This is a conversation about all of us. It is not ‘us versus them.’
We can do better. Together, we can work towards a change that affects us all!
Calendar Guys
Check out this Yukon-made 2013 calendar. Recognize anyone?
Kick-ass Indigenous Campaigns
The Moose Hide Campaign is a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children.
Kanawayhitowin
Kanawayhitowin is a Cree word, which in English translates to “taking care of each others spirit”. When we are born our spirits are pure and whole. As we journey through our time on earth, our spirit may encounter abuse and neglect. Everyone has the right to have their spirit protected and the responsibility to take care of the sacredness of life.
Kanawayhitowin is an Indigenous campaign to raise awareness about the signs of woman abuse in our communities, so that people who are close to an at-risk woman or abusive man can provide support.
Useful Videos
Jackson Katz is an educator who talks about men’s role in ending gendered violence.
“We need more adult men with power prioritizing these issues [gender-based violence] and we haven’t it seen yet.”
Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison’s message for soldiers who think it’s ok to harm women.
“No one has ever explained to me how the exploitation or degradation of others enhances capability or honours traditions... The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”
“The conversation needs to be reframed. Because this is not about what else women can do. You can’t solve violence against women without addressing the men committing it.”