DISSEMINATING THE MENENGAGE APPROACH TO ADDRESS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN RWANDA: BETWEEN (RE)POLITICIZATION OF GENDER PROGRAMS AND MASCULINIZA-TION OF THE WOMEN'S AGENDA
DISSEMINATING THE MENENGAGE APPROACH TO ADDRESS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN RWANDA: BETWEEN (RE)POLITICIZATION OF GENDER PROGRAMS AND MASCULINIZA-TION OF THE WOMEN'S AGENDA

Summary/Abstract: Since the 2000s, there has been increased use of the MenEngage approach to address gender inequality and gender-based violence (GBV) in Rwanda. It aims to encourage men to become actively involved in the fight against gender inequalities and to make them question their place as men within a patriarchal system. This contribution intends to show that the MenEngage approach is introduced by its advocates as an attempt to (re)politicize GBV prevention programs, on the one hand by trying to take into account the importance of all the masculine norms, practices and representations that govern the mechanisms of domination of men over women; on the other hand, by trying to mobilize men to play a role in the movement for gender equality. However, this approach can raise criticisms, and even competitive relationships between actors involved in this movement, particularly those who favor accompanying and supporting women. These tensions arising from the gradual expansion of the MenEngage approach in Rwanda relate to the increasing space given to men - practitioners or beneficiaries - within a space initially devoted to the cause of women.

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