“MAN2017: Europe talks on masculinity” conference [click here for main page]
June 5-7, 2017, Belgrade, Serbia
We are warmly welcoming submissions for different possible forms of your presentations: Key note speeches, panel discussions, workshops, movie screenings and discussions, poster presentations. Abstracts can relate to researches, case studies, interventions and examples of good practice, activist work, campaigns etc.
Please note that while some topics and issues are mentioned within each theme, abstracts proposals are not limited within them, but can also cover other issues within the particular theme.
ONLINE FORM for abstracts submission [CLICK HERE]
Deadline for abstract submissions – May 7th 2017
We will contact you regarding your submissions and with options of covering your expenses.
Themes for abstracts:
1. Masculinity, sex and consent
Dominance, control and violence are some of trademarks of unhealthy masculinities and this theme explores it in the context of sexual relations and sexual consent. Recent study in EU countries showed some worrying results, with 27% of respondents that think sexual intercourse without consent can be justifiable, while in some countries that number is as much as 55%, while 22% believe that women often make up or exaggerate claims of abuse or rape. Common victim blaming, sexual objectification and trivialization of sexual violence are very present in many societies. Is there a role that pornography plays in all of this? Is there a rape culture and is it linked with masculinity?
2. Men’s health and wellbeing
This theme is aimed at understanding the links between traditional gender roles and masculinities and men’s health, be it physical or mental health, with the goal of presenting researches or actions that address this theme and its many issues and implications. What are the connections between masculinities and health related issues and different conditions, risks, accidents, diseases, alcohol/drugs abuse, mental health issues, HIV/AIDS? What are the factors that form men’s attitudes, beliefs, health practices and health seeking behaviours? How can we steer masculinity in a healthier direction?
3. Refugee crisis, migrations and masculinities
Refugee crisis shook up the whole world and among numerous concerns that it brought, we can also discuss the situation from gender perspective. What is the situation of many men and boys who are not combatants and thus not in line with hegemonic masculinity, who are victims and survivors of conflict, fleeing their countries in search of peace. What are the characteristics of gender norms among refugee population and how will they relate to new settings in countries they fled to, surrounded by different cultures and different context? How are boys and young men constructing their masculinities considering norms in countries of origin and considering all of the adversities and humanitarian crises they have experienced, but also considering the contact with European dominant masculinities of right wing and nationalistic character.
4. Countering violent extremism, a masculinity aspect
Violent extremism is currently one of world’s most severe problems and there is a need to also address it from a gender perspective. What are the roles of masculinity and femininity in extremist violence and terrorism? Severe discrimination and attacks on the rights of women and girls seem to be common for all violent extremist groups, as well as usage of sexual and gender based violence, even as a recruitment method. Is there a link between gender equality and security issues? How can we prevent extremism at the grassroots level? Can women be included in countering violent extremism? How can we use gender perspective in efforts for countering violent extremism?
5. Positive fatherhood
There is a rising number of evidence, across the world, that speaks on many benefits and positive effects of involved, active, gender equal and non-violent fatherhood, benefits for children, mothers and fathers themselves. Are these new fathers different from their fathers and grandfathers and in what ways? Involved fatherhood is essential for achieving gender equality and there are positive changes, yet slow, how can we speed up this process? Are there differences in raising boys and girls? Is playing with children also a serious work at the same time? Why some parents think they are helpless without physical discipline? Are there ways for a man to learn how to be an involved father?
6. Men, peace and security
Engaging men and boys in gender equality and prevention of gender based violence is necessary, and security sector has to be one of the priority areas where efforts must be focused. How is dominant masculinity, with all of its characteristics, linked with soldiers, recruits, cadets and military as institution itself? How about police and other security forces? What are the motivations for boys and young men for joining and how are they constructing their masculinities? There is a progress, but are there essential changes in treatment of women, and are there changes of gender norms, within security sector? How can we challenge gender norms in this field? How can we stop the narratives of “real men” as dominant and violent combatants that support war and conflicts? Are there alternative ways to violent expressions of masculinity? How can we complement efforts under the women, peace and security agenda.
7. Gender and sexual diversities, discrimination and violence
Even though there are positive changes, homophobia, discrimination, injustices and violence against LGBT community are still very present and pervasive in many countries. This theme is aimed at understanding the causes of these issues and ways of promoting diversities and eliminating discrimination and violence. Why is homophobia, and with it associated contempt, hate, subordination and attacks on LGBT, such a strong and integral part of dominant masculinity? How can we stop perpetuating stereotypes in society, how can we stop violence and move towards more inclusive society with redefined gender power relations?
8. Masculinity, sports and violence
This theme will explore why is dominant masculinity, oftenly, very intertwined with sports, physical images and performances, as well as violence that is commonly associated with some sports, on or off the sports field. What can this pressures and challenges of masculinity lead to among some men? Are there body image issues among men and why such an emphasis on competition and achievement-oriented approach? How is masculinity linked with violence and hooliganism that are very dominant in some sports and communities? Sense of belonging, sense of territory and need for proving oneself through violence are present among many young men, football fans, who join hooligan groups. How can we stop and prevent violence and offer healthier alternatives for boys?
9. Arts and gender
Through this theme we want to explore the use of art as a medium for the change – change in an individual, change in a society. On the other hand, to discuss how are masculinity, femininity, gender norms and relations represented in art and how doеs it influence people? What are characteristics of male and female protagonist and antagonists? How can art educate and bring changes regarding the problems of gender inequality and stereotypical gender norms, as well as gender based violence? Movies, theater, music, painting, photography etc. any form of artistic expression can be discussed and explored within this theme.
10. Schools and violence
Special emphasis needs to be placed on schools and education for boys and girls, young men and young women, as they are common surroundings for youth and one of major agents of socialization. Violence in schools is one of major problems in many communities and we are so often shocked with latest news and cases of severe violence occuring among young people. How can we stop school violence and frequent bullying and efficiently introduce violence prevention in schools? What are the programs and curriculae that bring positive changes in attitudes and behaviour, regarding violence and gender equality, among youth? What role does dominant masculinities play in life of boys and how does it affect them and others? Does schools have capacities, and is there enough of a will for gender-transformative programming? What are the ways to efficiently educate teachers, professors, pedagogues and other school staff?
11. Media and public speech from the gender perspective
Being aware of imense power of media, as well as many problematic issues present in media and public speech, this theme has to be included in our discussions. How is the treatment of women in media and how are women perceived? Is the media reinforcing gender stereotypes and how? Is there a need for use of gender-sensitive language, can the media normalize its use and how can we introduce gender-sensitive reporting? How do media report instances of violence against women and what are their goals? Sexual objectification of women is very present, but what influence does it have on public? Why is there so much hate speech present in our societies and how can we combat it and prevent it?
12. Abortion, women’s right at risk?
There are certain recent tendencies in our, and other societies, that are causing great concerns, because there are frequent messages for banning abortion present in public discourse, where a ban would be a mean for population policies and population planning. Why are populations declining, is it because of feminism and hedonism, or is it because of poverty, conflicts, violence and misoginy? How can society adequately support higher number of births? Where is the education on sexual-reproductive health and rights and what role does it have? Is the theme of abortion a common denominator for women’s rights? Where are men in all of this and what is their role, or what should be their role? Will there be a need to defend rights and fight for rights of women that have been already won in the past?
13. Masculinity and politics
How is masculinity implicated in structures of power and what are the characteristics of dominant masculinities in the political domain? How does masculinity affect policies and the process of policy making on different levels and in different fields? Is there a rise of hyper-masculinized and aggressive types of national and foreign policy? What are the causes and effects of masculinist nationalism and its type of rhetoric in politics? Why are women still underrepresented in politics and are men still considered more appropriate as politicians? What are the expectations that the media and public impose regarding traits of politicians that they deem masculine or feminine? How can activism, with the goals of advancing gender equality, prevention of violence and promotion of peace and security, affect policy makers and what are the best strategies?
Also, immediately after MAN2017 conference you can join us this June for the second-ever MenCare Global Meeting in Belgrade, Serbia. Hosted by Promundo, Sonke Gender Justice, Center E8, and the MenCare Steering Committee, the meeting will bring together global participants to share and exchange new findings, lessons learned, and reflections from the field of engaging men as fathers and caregivers for gender equality. The meeting will be held June 8-10, 2017.
For more information about the MenCare Global Meeting, please contact Promundo-US Senior Program Officer Jane Kato-Wallace at j.kato@promundoglobal.org.
RSVP details, agenda, and additional information for both events to follow.