NEWS
MEDIA RELEASE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION OF THE MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
07/03/2002

Men and boys need help to learn not to bash women (International Women’s Health Day – 08 March 2002)

Saturday 9 March is International Women's Health Day. Men’s violence against women is a fundamental barrier to women’s health and gender equality. This violence expresses and maintains gender power relations. It impacts on women’s physical and emotional health, restricts their sexual and reproductive choices, hinders their social development, and impacts on their participation in public life.

The following important factors associated with men’s use of physical violence against a partner have been identified by the Medical Research Council:
• younger men were more likely to report using violence against a partner compared to older men;
• having been raised in a harsh childhood environment, such as having received frequent hidings as a child, as well as having witnessed their mother being abused by her husband or partner;
• the use of alcohol and drugs contributed to the violence;
• having frequent conflicts with a partner;
• having multiple partners;
• having strong views on why a women should be hit; and
• being involved in physical fights at the work.

MRC Gender and Health researcher Ms Naeema Abrahams says that it is critical to have anti-violence interventions that target young men and pre-adolescents boys: “Young boys should be exposed to diverse examples of what it means to be a man i.e. beyond the violent models that many are exposed to on a daily basis. Space must be provided for them to learn non-violent conflict management skills.”

Another critical area of intervention is to work with young boys at risk, such as those who experience harsh and violent childhoods. “These boys should be identified early for interventions which can lead them to pathways to learn non-violent ways to be a man. Equally important is parenting skills since boys (and girls) which are brought up in harsh homes without much love and attention and this shapes their behaviour in later life”, Ms Abrahams says.

The workplace is also a important site for intervention. “Workers that are at risk, e.g those who are involved in fights at work, could be identified and supported in developing new skills to deal with conflict.”

Ms Abrahams emphasises: “It is important to continue and intensify services for women. The development of programmes directed at young men and boys should not be seen as competing for resources which should have been allocated to womens’ programmes.

For further information contact Ms Naeema Abrahams on (021) 938-0445/Cell 083 4617542/ Email or MRC Media Liaison- Mr Vincent Moaga on (031)203-4700/Cell:082-827-9787

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