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« Habla Causa » trainings

Reflecting on positive masculinity with men in Lima

"Habla Causa" is a training programme that aims to facilitate processes of deconstruction of traditional masculinity and to promote the exercise of equitable behaviour between men and women.

What is "Habla Causa"?

"Habla Causa" is a training programme that aims to facilitate processes of deconstruction of traditional masculinity and to promote the exercise of equitable behaviour between men and women.

The participants examine the stereotypical roles and functions of men and women in relationships and at home. Together, they reflect on their behaviour and, at the end of the training sessions, propose behaviours of equality between men and women.

How was Habla Causa born?

"Habla Causa" is a training space for men within the framework of the "Habla Mujer" project, which aims to empower women so that they can be agents of the integral development of their territory.

Involving the family in women’s empowerment was a key part of the process that was quickly proposed at the beginning of the project. The need to work with men on gender issues is becoming increasingly evident as many women are in the process of being empowered and when they return home it is back to square one as they continue to suffer violence from their partners.

The work of empowering women is not an isolated task. By sensitising the family, men, women can be empowered with the support of their environment.

How are the training sessions organised?

To motivate men to participate, it is not enough to offer workshops on the theme of positive masculinity. Sometimes it is necessary to have an excuse to meet. In the case of Habla Causa, the men co-organise a mixed football tournament. At the end of the training sessions, 15 minutes are dedicated to this topic with the CENCA facilitator. Their enthusiasm for football generates greater participation.

Example of a 1h30 workshop

The workshop starts with a collective drawing of the neighbourhood SUPER MAN. With him, we describe the activities that this "Superman" carries out on a daily basis. Next, we draw the WOMAN of the neighbourhood and describe the activities she does on a daily basis. We encourage them to say everything they do without any taboos in between.

The activities performed by the SUPER MAN and the WOMAN are contrasted. Similarities and differences are established and questions are asked about them. This is where the debate begins between the things that men do and women do not do and vice versa. The questions revolve around activities that women do that men "couldn’t do" or that would not be socially accepted, and things that men do (mostly for fun) that women don’t do because they would not be socially accepted either.

Finally, a reflection is requested on the role changes that could be initiated and how far they should go, what should be changed, what would it look like, what would it look like, etc.

Some tips for running workshops

 Always work with a single gender group, only men.
 Reflection is born out of questioning.
 There is space for everyone to express themselves from their own experience.
 Become a friend of the group and get to know the participants beyond the sessions
 Build trust and confirm that what is said in the session should not go outside the session.

To find out more, download the full fact sheet here or on the top right:

Habla Causa trainings
Habla Causa trainings

Priorities

Priority 5

Keywords

#Pedagogy
Author(s) : Cenca