Men as agent of change in promoting healthy masculinity in the families: lessons learnt from Indonesia

Abstract

In a world where many countries have come to enshrine women’s rights and support for gender equality in policy and practice, gender-based violence (GBV), specifically violence against women and girls, persists. This violence, especially at home, is based on gender-based discrimination, inequitable gender norms, and imbalanced power dynamics. As with cases of violence elsewhere, the causes of violence in Indonesia are diverse. Amongst them is the stigma in society that considers domestic violence taboo and disgraceful for the family. The high number of cases of violence against women is an iceberg phenomenon. The statistic below is still far from representative of the actual number of occurrences, because there are still many unreported cases. Data released by Komnas Perempuan (National Commission on Violence against Women) showed that the number of reported cases of violence against women increased from 2018 as many as 406,178 cases. The type of violence that ranked highest is violence in the personal realm, especially violence against wives, followed by violence directed at girlfriends, and violence directed at daughters. Within the personal realm, 43% of the cases were physical, 25% were sexual, 19% cases were psychological, and 13% were economical. To end all forms of GBV, we must address its social and structural causes. Inequitable gender norms increase chances of both sexual and physical violence, and influence men’s role as caregivers. Therefore, equality cannot be achieved without equal understanding, awareness and participation of men. Many efforts have been made by the Government of Indonesia and even the community, to prevent violence against women, but the strength of the patriarchal culture embodied in social norms means the incidence of violence is increasing. This paper argues the importance of involvement by men in these efforts in order to solve the root of the problem: the norms and gender relations of men and women. This paper will be written and supported by the evidence of several programs conducted in Indonesia by various international and national NGOs Non-Government Organizations.