About Muslim Masculinities
Context
While majority of men do not support violence, men are still primarily responsible for physical and sexual violence across the globe. Men who support traditional gender norms more frequently support gender inequity and violence. Further, rigid views on masculinity can affect men's physical and mental health and can deter them from seeking help. While few studies provide strategies to address these issues, there has been a notable increase in the past two decades of initiatives by men to prevent gender-based violence and promote gender equity. There is limited research, however, on the impacts of men's involvement in gender equity and violence prevention initiatives, frequently referred to as "gender justice" work, and a lack of literature on the factors that influence men to support gender justice movements. Our study seeks to fill that gap in the research and investigates the motivations of Muslim men's gender justice efforts in 6 different countries: Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
Objectives
- Exploring personal and cultural factors that inspire men to engage in Violence Against Women (VAW) prevention and gender equity work.
- Understanding men’s journey to VAW prevention and gender equity and the personal and social impacts of their involvement.
- Examining strategies that men already involved in VAW prevention and gender equity believe would effectively engage other men in this work.
- Training graduate students from various regions and developing a student research-training framework to be used for future collaborations.
- Publishing a research model on interdisciplinary, cross-regional, community-based collaborations.
- Enhancing research, student training, and community mobilization with plans for future international projects and funding applications.
Methodology
This study is grounded in Transformative Learning (TL), which assumes transformation is driven by critical reflection on societal norms. In this context, this process examines the dominant ideologies and practices that perpetuate gender inequities and violence. At the same time, it considers alternative actions that promote gender justice. This study collects valuable insights from Muslim men already engaging in transformation.
First, researchers will conduct in-depth interviews, exploring gender roles, policies, and norms. There will be a particular focus on how these men perceive and advance gender justice.
Second, researchers will compare interview responses to understand better the social, political, religious, and cultural contexts in which these men live.
Third, select interviewees will create Digital Stories—videos that share their knowledge and experiences with others interested in gender justice.
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