13 July 2023
At a moment in which the world faces far-reaching economic and political crises, transforming militarised masculinities is urgent to avoid spirals of violence.
This policy brief puts forward an understanding of what militarised masculinities are, their multi-faceted nature, and how they contribute to cycles of violence and impunity around the world. It argues that transforming gendered norms which define ‘masculinities’ in terms of force and violence must become a global priority.
Instead, more positive ideas of masculinity, that value collaboration and peaceful solutions to conflict, must be promoted in processes such as the reintegration of former combatants, conflict prevention and transitional justice.
“Transforming militarised masculinities means ensuring that men adopt more positive, collaborative and caring ways of resolving conflicts.”
Read the policy brief
Background
Gender is now a central element of most peacebuilding and transitional justice policies, generating much-needed attention for the experiences and needs of women, who tend to bear the brunt of gendered inequality and gender-based violence. Unfortunately, engaging women leaves a key cause of gendered violence unaddressed: violent and militarised masculinities.
Transforming militarised masculinities: A global responsibility for a more just and peaceful world is the first in our upcoming Knowledge to action series of policy briefs offering recommendations on key themes and debates relating to overcoming impunity and transforming justice.
The report was produced as part of our work on gender-transformative justice.
Photo: Impunity Watch