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Gender and Violence

The root of gender violence is inequality between men and women, which is entrenched in social institutions, and reinforced by a culture that undervalues women and considers them subordinate to men. Based on this, our institution considers it necessary to develop interventions that question and remove beliefs, discourses, models and messages that impede the equal relationship between men and women through each developmental stage. That is why, besides promoting knowledge regarding the exercise of women’s rights, we also promote new forms of masculinity among men of varied ages and backgrounds. This contributes to equity and equality, and enables citizens to acknowledge each other as agents of change.

Proyects

  • Scope: Tayacaja (Huancavelica), Jauja (Junín)
    Cooperating entity: Bernard van Leer Foundation

    This project showed how violence against women and children is expressed from the male point of view regarding his relationship with partners and children. It showed the magnitude of the violence problem in the rural Andes, and how existing services focus on care of victims without working with the aggressors, who also are a part of the problem. It also showed how these existing services use punitive sanctions instead of re-education or training. With this information, a proposed post-intervention was developed in partnership with community leaders, to reduce violence against women and children

  • Scope: Tayacaja (Huancavelica), Jauja (Junín)
    Cooperating entity: van Leer Foundation

    This project was aimed at reducing violence against women and children through interventions with rural men. It aimed to transform their idea of masculinity, reduce the incidence of violence, and promote change. It questioned the use of violence in relationships and child-rearing and allowed for a critical review of the types of behavior which lead to male domestic violence. It also contributed to the design and implementation of concerted strategies to prevent violence, with the active participation of men.

  • Scope: San Juan de Lurigancho (Lima) Cooperating entity: EM Power

    The school is a fundamental space to promote reflection and changes in attitudes regarding relations of gender inequality and violence. This project contributed to the establishment of equality between students of two high schools in Lima and worked with families to encourage respect and tolerance among their members. The project strengthened the capacities of homeroom teachers and educational authorities to develop a gender equality approach in their curriculum. At the same time, it encouraged the participation of adolescents, and strengthened their influence in student councils.

  • Scope: San Juan de Lurigancho (Lima)
    Cooperating entity: EM Power

    The way in which girls and female adolescents are traditionally trained and educated contributes to situations of inequality and violence through their lives, which may result in early motherhood, and may impede social development or productivity, among other problems. This project empowered a group of female adolescent leaders from two schools in Lima with knowledge of their rights and recognition of their potential, to enable them to prevent gender violence in their future relationships (couple, family, work, etc.). The program promoted the strengthening of their self-esteem, the acceptance and appreciation of their own body, and the construction of their life plan. Furthermore, it encouraged dialogue between peers and questioning of the discourses and models that sustain gender violence.

Outcomes of the Program

  • 200 rural men in Junín and Huancavelica showed favorable changes in the way that they experienced their masculinity were able to improve relationships with their partners, sons, and daughters.
  • 30 male leaders were able to form a network of community leaders that promoted messages and models of behavior to prevent violence against women and to transform traditional masculinity, thus reducing inequality and violence.
  • Printed and audiovisual material (brochures, videos, radio spots, guides, studies, etc.) was produced and subsequently transferred to various public and private institutions, in partnership with institutions and groups of men from each community.
  • Two provincial plans for the prevention of gender-based violence were prepared with the collaboration of the multisectoral consultation boards of Jauja (Junín) and Tayacaja (Huancavelica). These plans were approved and recognized by the provincial municipalities as management instruments with goals, actions, and deadlines linked to the sociocultural changes needed to eradicate gender violence and to improve and expand services that address this problem.
  • 30 school leaders organized in the "Wiñay: leadership and empowerment to grow" group were trained to prepare their peers to oppose gender violence among adolescents.