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This is a documentation of a campaign to end violence against women and girls and to promote gender equality in India. Men’s Action for Stopping Violence Against Women or MASVAW is a network of over 175 individuals and 100 organisations, a member based campaign in the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. These men have decided to bring about a change within themselves and in other men to raise their voice against traditional patriarchal values and challenge stereotypical notions of what it means to be a man. MASVAW believes in public action, at the core of which is self change. Boys and men raise their voices against violence against women and gender inequality through agitations, campaigns, media reactions, public debates, discussions, workshops and seminars. It works with the police, doctors, lawyers, boys and men in universities, schools and the media, supporting them to form groups to intervene in instances of violence within the community, provide support to survivors and ensure that local schools and colleges become violence-free zones. MASVAW has an informal structure, which gives it flexibility. Working at different levels, in cities and villages, with different age groups and classes, has broadened its reach. MASVAW believes in involving boys at a young age, influencing them with values of gender sensitivity and non-violence. Girls and women also take part in the campaign, helping both the sexes to learn about respectful relationships. Supporting boys and men in this journey has been crucial. MASVAW has created an environment of understanding and warmth, where boys and men can vent their emotions. Being part of global networks on working with boys and men to promote gender equality and to end violence, such as MenEngage, has given the campaign a global identity and international exposure. Today, MASVAW is striving to be a learning network, by conducting regular documentation, monitoring changes and evaluating its work. Save the Children is supportive of MASVAW’s initiatives of involving boys at a young age to address violence against girls and boys and gender equality. It is with this belief Save the Children has supported the production of a film Changing the Course and documentation of the MASVAW’s (Men’s Action for Stopping Violence Against Women) campaign in India. Changing the Course is afilm on men and boys’ initiatives for gender equality and stopping violence. The film captures MASVAW’s core activities, various tools adopted in the campaign, its strengths and challenges, in working towards gender equality. To order the DVD, write to: Karna Maharjan ([email protected], Regional Technical Programme Communication Officer The DVD is free of cost, although Save the Children asks that postage is paid. Further information
pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/MASVAW.pdf