Research: How to effectively engage men to build support for women’s leadership in the Pacific  

A new research paper exploring effective ways to engage men to build support for women’s leadership in the Pacific has revealed the importance of working more intentionally with men and creating space for critical reflection on privilege, among other findings.

‘Approaches to engaging men in support of women’s leadership in the Pacific’ is published today by Women Leading and Influencing (WLI) and co-authored by La Trobe University’s Institute for Human Security and Social Change staff Elisabeth Jackson, Serena Ford and Alex Gyles together with Pacific experts Mercy Masta and Sarah Garap.

The report brings together insights from both Pacific and global efforts and highlights practical ways individuals and organisations can effectively engage men in gender equality efforts, as well as potentially counter-productive approaches.

About the research paper

Gender inequality has been a key concern of Pacific governments, civil society and development organisations, particularly given high rates of gender-based violence in many countries, low levels of women’s representation in politics, and other gender inequalities.  

While organisations working on these issues have developed principles for engaging with men and promising practices are beginning to emerge, there is still very little practical guidance on how those wanting to work with men can do so in ways that are most effective in bringing about lasting change in men’s attitudes and behaviours.

Alongside an in-depth literature review, the paper’s authors spoke with Pacific experts and practitioners whose work includes engaging with men to address gender-based violence and gender equality in the Pacific as well as alumni of the Women's Developmental Leadership Program.  

Key findings

Key findings of the research paper include that:

• Men’s support for women’s leadership is critical (because it requires them to make space for women to lead). Therefore, programs working on gender equality and women’s empowerment need to be more intentional about how they engage with men.
• Men’s allyship for gender equality begins at home, with men respecting women’s views and sharing household responsibilities. It continues in the workplace with support for women’s development.
• To change their attitudes towards women’s leadership – and their behaviours – men need to access safe spaces where they are comfortable and challenged to engage in critical reflection about the power and privileges they hold.
• Male advocates for women’s leadership can provide important role models for other men, particularly when they are people who have influence and authority.  
• For educational programs such as WLI, active and participatory approaches that build men’s knowledge and awareness, engage their emotions, and develop their allyship skills are most effective.
• Western concepts and language such as gender and feminism can be alientating and provoke resistance. Gender equality can be more effectively communicated in ways that resonate with people in the Pacific.
• Positive cultural and religious norms in many Pacific cultures can be harnessed in support of gender equality. This includes the emphasis on respect and avenues for women’s voices to be heard at the community level and biblical messages about love, caring, sharing and equality.

Download the research paper

The complete research paper (PDF) is available to download through the resources page and via the button below.