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| MenEngage CSW66 statement |
Accountability
It is clear that we must have a strong accountability framework for the work on men and masculinities, and for these efforts to move beyond the transformation of individual men and boys and contribute to the transformation of patriarchal masculinities and systems. We aim to mobilize men and boys to stand behind, and with, the leadership of feminist climate activists, indigenous people, and youth climate movements advocating for challenging the dominant patriarchal - socio-economic and political systems perpetuating climate change. We must also all stand behind calls for a just transition to green economies of care and away from extractive, capitalist, patriarchal logics and structures. At the center of our work with men and boys must lie an intersectional feminist power analysis of the disproportionate impacts of climate change on all women, girls and gender non-conforming people.
Movement Solidarity
We also need to stand in solidarity across movements during these pressing times. Within the context of the ongoing pushback to articulate clear human rights and gender justice language in our international climate change frameworks, we must stand together to amplify feminist demands for a more robust framework on the nexus between climate and gender justice. This also requires working together, through power-with strategies based on cross-movement building and centering accountability to marginalized communities and movements, and their voices, agendas and demands.
We also need to stand in solidarity across movements during these pressing times. Within the context of the ongoing pushback to articulate clear human rights and gender justice language in our international climate change frameworks, we must stand together to amplify feminist demands for a more robust framework on the nexus between climate and gender justice. This also requires working together, through power-with strategies based on cross-movement building and centering accountability to marginalized communities and movements, and their voices, agendas and demands.
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| Image shared by GBV Prevention Net (@GBVnet) |
This year at CSW66 this included coming together to oppose ongoing restrictions
to CSOs meaningful participation in CSW. It was of particularly impact to
women, girls, and gender non-conforming people of the Global South, with
limited warning to plan travel and visa arrangements, as late announcements
were sent regarding access to the UN premises, only a few days before the start
of the event. We also need to stand together to counter anti-rights backlash at
the UN, be it through the actions of regressive CSO actors, to the regressive
agendas and tactics of many Member States.
From Engagement to Transformation
Engaging men and
boys continues to be recognized by Member States as one relevant strategy
towards the achievement of climate and gender justice. But to be meaningful
allies of feminist climate justice demands, we must continue to push for the
agreed upon language to advance a progressive framework for not just the
engagement of men and boys, but for the transformation of patriarchal
masculinities and systems. Because evidence from practice has demonstrated that
if the work with men and boys is not done in accountable ways, that are
gender-transformative, human-rights based and feminist-informed, they risk
being potentially harmful to gender equality, by replicating the very
patriarchal power dynamics this work seeks to dismantle.
Manhood
There is also an ongoing need to better understand how
harmful ideals of manhood, i.e. masculinities that include the need to have
power over others – ‘others’ often understood as women, less powerful men,
children and nature – are among the root causes of the destruction of
livelihoods and perpetuate environmental degradation. Doing so, we will be able
to help strengthen future and existing solutions for climate change adaptation
& resilience, by exposing the harms of patriarchal masculinities & working
with men & boys as allies to transform power structures alongside feminist,
indigenous and youth climate movements. Through intersectional feminist
approaches that are accountable to our planet and to all women, girls, and
gender non-conforming individuals and marginalized groups, the work and field
of men and boys must stay committed to centering a human-rights based &
gender-transformative practices and approaches.
What made it into the Agreed Conclusions?
The CSW66 AgreedConclusions notes the need to:
"eliminate gender stereotypes, sexism and negative social norms, that fuel discrimination and all forms of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence and undermine gender equality".
It also calls on Member States, to:
"take all appropriate measures to recognize, reduce and redistribute women’s and girls’ disproportionate share of unpaid care and domestic work by promoting work- life balance, the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men within households and men’s and boys’ equitable sharing of responsibilities with respect to care and household work, including and men’s responsibility as fathers and caregivers" (reiterating CSW61 agreed language).
The importance of promoting 'non-violent behavior and respectful relationships' among men and boys (language from HRC/Resolution 35/10) and a ‘culture of peace’ (language from the preamble of the Beijing Platform for Action) was included too.
A common call was expressed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who stated:
“Men must look in the mirror and begin to improve the lopsided unequal power relations, toxic masculinities and cultural norms and stereotypes that have fueled this violence for millennia”[1].
Missed Opportunities
Addressing the roles and responsibilities of men and boys as individuals is a critical strategy. Yet, to go further, strategies, policies, and programs must center and address systemic transformation. Enabling this transformation to take place requires the dismantling of patriarchal masculinities and systems.
Addressing the roles and responsibilities of men and boys as individuals is a critical strategy. Yet, to go further, strategies, policies, and programs must center and address systemic transformation. Enabling this transformation to take place requires the dismantling of patriarchal masculinities and systems.
It would have been key to acknowledge within the
Agreed Conclusions, that gender inequality, climate change and environmental
degradation are inherently linked to deep-rooted patriarchal masculinities and
systems based on domination, exploitation and unequal power relations. The need
to address patriarchal masculinities and norms that perpetuate gender
inequality and environmental degradation must be key to the analysis of the
root causes of the climate crisis, and to support initiatives to work with men
and boys in the promotion of alternate notions of manhood.
Centering the importance of holding all persons in positions of authority and power, especially men and including politicians and policy makers, private sector leaders and law enforcement officials, accountable for not complying with and/or upholding laws and regulations relating to gender and climate justice is also key. These were not included in CSW66’s Agreed Conclusions, which is a missed opportunity to progress and to advancing an accountable and nuanced normative on men and masculinities.
*This blog post was written by Jennifer Bruno of MenEngage Alliance
Photo credit: WO=MEN
Additional resources:
- Watch the recording of the online MenEngage Alliance CSW66 Side Event on the links between men, masculinities and #ClimateChange here.
- Policy & Programmatic Recommendations for the CSW66 by MenEngage here.
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