Build Partnerships
Building partnerships with other organizations and groups allows us to reach diverse audiences and greatly expands the opportunities to directly involve more men and boys in preventing gender-based violence.
There are some challenges, however. Our communities are diverse and we may not share the social background, culture, or politics of the organizations we want to work with as partners. To ensure success, we must recognize and respect one another’s differences, and acknowledge and overcome our own biases, stereotypes, and prejudices.
When we do this, ending gender-based violence is a goal that can bring us closer together. The tools and exercises in this section will help you lay a strong foundation as you begin establishing alliances with new groups and organizations and building solidarity with others from diverse social, cultural, racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
Organizational Alliances looks at why it’s important for organizations of all kinds to work together to end violence, and presents some good practices for getting started. The Cross-Cultural Solidarity pages constitute a seven-part workshop that will help you understand differences at both a personal and a group level, so you will be better able to connect with organizations and individuals that don’t share your background or beliefs. The sections on workplace, faith-based, and media partnerships look at issues specific to those types of alliances.
In Our Own Words
Read what other men think about why it is important to build partnerships for working with men and boys.
Recommended Reading
See our list of articles and other resources about building partnerships.
