Positive masculinity is a perspective through which the engagement of men and boys has been used to support the broader movement for gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE). Gender transformative approaches have increasingly sought to interrogate and understand men and masculinities, as well as to analyse the experiences, attitudes, roles and responsibilities of men and boys, and how these influence behaviour, social norms, policymaking and gender equality overall. Positive masculinity has been found to be crucial to ending all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls.

At the same time positive masculinities provide a critical lens through which to reshape masculinities in ways that promote healthy, peaceful and individual and social well-being for all. Globally, campaigns such as HeForShe and local initiatives across Africa, have explored innovative solutions to engage men and boys in all walks of life as allies in gender equality, and ending all forms of violence against women and girls.

The 2^nd Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity seeks to reflect on the progress in the implementation of the commitment adopted on ending violence against women and girls at the inaugural Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity convened in 2021 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The Conference is organized under the leadership of H.E. President Macky Sall, on 10^th November, 2022, in Dakar, Senegal. It is held in collaboration with President Felix Tshisekedi, President Cyril Ramaphosa, President Nana Akuffo Addo, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as well as Moussa Faki Mahamat, with the facilitation of H.E. Bineta Diop and the support of UN Agencies. The conference will be convened in a hybrid format.

Read the Declaration and call to action click here.

Find out more about the inaugural Men’s conference click here.

The inaugural Men’s Conference adopted the Kinshasa Declaration expressing concern on the persistence of violence against women and girls in Africa, despite the commitment of States to eradicate all forms of discrimination against women and girls. The Kinshasa Declaration commits Heads of State to ensuring that the necessary policies and measures are put in place to address any form of impunity related to violence against women, while at the same time launching the Circle of Champions to advance the participatory and intergenerational approach that engages all stakeholders to amplify the call to action to end harmful and discriminatory practices in society.

The Kinshasa Declaration was subsequently adopted as an AU Summit decision by the 35^th Ordinary Assembly of the AU Heads of State and Government. The Summit also appointed President Felix Tshisekedi as the AU Champion on Positive Masculinity.

It is against this background, and based on the leaders’ commitment to follow-up the implementation of the Kinshasa Declaration and Call for action annually, that the second Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity in Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls will be held, from 11 to 12 November in Dakar, Senegal.

As part of efforts to engage men and boys in support of gender equality, the 2^nd Men’s Conference is convening Heads of State; business, traditional and religious leaders; civil society organisations and activists and celebrities to take stock of the progress made towards the implementation of the Kinshasa Declaration and other initiatives to engage men and boys towards gender equality. An impact summit of this nature is important in strengthening accountable practices in the work with men and boys as allies for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The male champions attending the 2^nd Men’s Conference will be given an opportunity to demonstrate that they are continuing to lead in their spheres of influence with practical, evidenced solutions and results. The conference will also mobilise commitment and galvanise action by men in leadership across different sectors to promote positive masculinity approaches with the view of accelerating the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls in Africa at all spheres and at all levels.

The specific objectives are to:

• Launch the Circle of Heads of State Champion on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
• Agree on strategic political action to facilitate negotiation, adoption, ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
• Strengthen accountability practices in the work with men and boys as allies for gender equality and women’s empowerment including their participation in the Continental Men’s Coalition to end Violence Against Women and Girls as well as the Men’s Portal to report on actions taken to this cause.
• Secure commitment to enhance an enabling environment for the participation and leadership of women and youth in development, including in women, peace and security in Africa.
• Pledge to commit resources towards an African Union funding mechanism to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.

This Second AU Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls will be convened, under the leadership of H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and the 2022 AU Chairperson in collaboration with President Felix Tshisekedi; President Cyril Ramaphosa; President Nana Akuffo Addo; President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as well as H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat. The Conference is organised through the technical support and facilitation of H.E. Bineta Diop, the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD), under the leadership of H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AUC Chairperson and with the support of UN Agencies. It will be attended by AU Champion Presidents; selected Heads of States; and male and female leaders as well as young people representing various sectors. It will be attended by AU Champion Presidents; selected Heads of States; and male and female leaders as well as young people representing various sectors.

The Conference will be preceded by stakeholder consultations between October and November to solicit the inputs of African citizens and to ensure that their views are integrated in the outcomes and decisions of the Conference. In this regard, consultations will be held with the Bureau of the STC on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment; Traditional and Religious Leaders; Women’s Rights Organizations; Men’s Organizations; Business; Academia; and Young People.

The conference will include a convening of High-Level African Women Leaders as well as a High-Level Commitment and Solidarity Dinner, which will include influential leaders and celebrities representing sports, music, arts, business, politics, philanthropist and other sectors in Africa; and the main conference of the Heads of State and government will follow.

To learn more about how you can make a difference, end violence against women and girls and resources and reference materials, visit the African Union Men’s conference on Positive Masculinity click here.