AWiB creates platforms for women’s leadership, growth, and visibility and actively seeks to engage men in the journey toward gender equity. Recognizing that true progress requires collaboration, AWiB encourages men to be part of its monthly dialogue and in building a more inclusive, balanced, and equitable future for all. 

As per AWiB’s tradition of celebrating male champions of change every November, this paper explores the decisive role men play in advancing women’s rights. By examining the male engagement, the mechanisms through which men can contribute, and case studies of successful partnerships, it highlights how gender equity is both a shared responsibility and a collective benefit.

The movement for gender equity has long been viewed as a women’s issue, yet the facts show that successful change requires the conscious action of men. Men continue to hold influence in social, economic, and political spheres. Their participation in advancing women’s rights is therefore not optional but essential. 

The HeForShe campaign, launched by UN Women in 2014, emphasizes that men must see themselves not as passive allies but as active partners in dismantling systemic gender inequality. Men’s role in gender equality can be understood in two ways. First, as beneficiaries of patriarchal systems, they are positioned to challenge and reshape the norms that perpetuate inequality. Second, as fathers, partners, colleagues, and leaders, they influence environments that either uphold or undermine women’s rights. By engaging men in advocacy, education, and institutional reform, societies create conditions where women’s rights are seen as integral to collective human rights.

If men do not engage meaningfully in this struggle, it risks stagnation. Persistent wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership, and gender-based violence cannot be addressed by women alone. History demonstrates that major social transformations, including civil rights and labor reforms, have succeeded only through broad coalitions that included those outside the directly affected groups.

Connell’s theory of “hegemonic masculinity” highlights how cultural norms of male dominance sustain unequal power structures, but also points to the possibility of redefining masculinity toward equity. Men are not only enforcers of patriarchy but also potential agents of change.

Kimmel (2017) argues that patriarchy restricts men as well, pressuring them into rigid roles that limit emotional expression, caregiving, and shared responsibilities. By engaging in gender equity, men can liberate themselves from harmful stereotypes while contributing to social justice. This dual benefit frames gender equality not as a zero-sum game but as a mutually reinforcing process.

Crenshaw (1991) also underlines the importance of intersectionality in understanding men’s role and points out that systems of oppression (based on identity or financial level)  intersect, compounding inequalities faced by women. Without enough awareness, male participation risks reproducing dominance rather than dismantling it.

Policy changes suggested include promoting positive masculinity in schools, encouraging men’s involvement in childcare and domestic labor, and creating male allies in workplaces and politics (Barker et al., 2011). Empirical studies show that men who participate in caregiving are more supportive of gender equity in public life, suggesting that private and public roles are deeply interconnected. These studies show that men’s engagement is not an act of benevolence but a structural necessity for achieving gender justice.

Men’s role in women’s rights operates through several interconnected mechanisms.

The first is the transformation of cultural norms. Men influence social expectations within families, peer groups, and communities. By rejecting stereotypes that confine women to domestic roles and affirming women’s leadership, men can create ripple effects that normalize equality. Media campaigns, mentorship, and advocacy from influential male figures are particularly powerful in reshaping attitudes.⁵

Second, men’s participation in domestic life directly improves equity. When men share responsibilities such as childcare, household work, and caregiving, they challenge structural assumptions that devalue women’s labor. Research shows that greater involvement by fathers enhances children’s development and reduces the burden on women, enabling their participation in education and work.⁹

Third, men can act as allies in workplaces and institutions. By advocating for policies such as equal pay, parental leave, and anti-harassment measures, men use their influence in male-dominated spaces to create fairer systems. Leadership commitment is particularly critical since men still hold the majority of decision-making positions in politics and business globally.

Finally, men play a role in addressing violence against women. Campaigns that challenge harmful masculinities, coupled with community-based interventions, show promise in reducing gender-based violence.⁶ Men’s involvement in prevention programs is vital, as violence often stems from entrenched male entitlement.

Through these mechanisms, men can be catalysts for structural change. Their actions, both personal and institutional, have the potential to reshape societies in ways that make equality not aspirational but attainable.

One prominent example is the HeForShe campaign, launched by UN Women in 2014. By mobilizing men across sectors, the initiative highlighted the importance of men’s voices in advocating for equity. Several universities, corporations, and governments signed commitments to advance gender equality through measurable goals such as narrowing wage gaps and increasing women in leadership.

In Rwanda, male engagement has been central to the country’s remarkable progress in women’s representation. Following the 1994 genocide, deliberate policies involved men in rebuilding institutions. Today, women hold over 60 percent of seats in Rwanda’s parliament, the highest in the world.² Male leaders publicly advocating for equality have been critical in normalizing women’s political participation.

Another case is Brazil’s Program H, which works with young men to challenge traditional gender norms and promote healthy relationships. Evaluations show that participants demonstrated reduced tolerance for violence against women and greater support for shared domestic responsibilities.¹

These cases reveal several lessons. First, male participation must be intentional and structured rather than symbolic. Second, policy support and institutional commitment are necessary for sustainability. Third, male engagement is most effective when it combines cultural change with concrete policy outcomes. These examples demonstrate that men’s role is not hypothetical but practical and measurable. 

Despite the benefits of engaging men in women’s rights, several misconceptions present a barrier to advancing equity. Critics argue that excessive focus on men risks centering their perspectives and overshadowing women’s voices. Feminist scholars caution against “male savior” narratives that reinforce power imbalances rather than dismantle them.³ To avoid this, male engagement must always be accountable to women-led movements.

Another misconception lies in resistance from men who perceive gender equality as a threat to their status. Research shows that some men react defensively to discussions of privilege, framing equity as a loss rather than a collective gain.⁷ Addressing this requires education and dialogue that highlight how gender justice benefits everyone.

Structural barriers also limit men’s engagement. Workplace cultures that stigmatize men taking parental leave or participating in caregiving reinforce traditional gender roles. Without institutional reforms, men’s individual efforts remain limited.

Lastly, intersectionality complicates male engagement. Men’s experiences and privileges differ across race, class, and geography. For example, men in marginalized communities may themselves lack power, shaping how they relate to gender equity.⁴ Recognizing these variations prevents simplistic assumptions about “all men” and ensures more inclusive strategies.

These challenges do not undermine the importance of men’s role but highlight the need for careful, accountable, and context-specific approaches.

To harness men’s role in advancing women’s rights, policies and initiatives must address both cultural and structural dimensions.

Education is a critical starting point. Gender-sensitive curricula in schools can teach boys respect, empathy, and equity from an early age. Initiatives demonstrating that engaging boys and young men early can shift attitudes and behaviors in lasting ways.

Workplace reforms are also essential. Encouraging men to take parental leave, implementing equal pay policies, and establishing strong anti-harassment mechanisms help create environments where equality becomes the norm. Leadership from men in positions of authority can accelerate these changes, particularly in male-dominated industries.

Community-based interventions are equally important. Campaigns that challenge harmful masculinities and encourage men to speak out against violence have shown success. For example, studies have shown that community dialogues involving men reduced acceptance of gender-based violence and promoted healthier relationships.⁶

Finally, accountability is key. Male allies must work alongside women’s organizations, respecting women’s leadership and avoiding dominance in the movement. International bodies such as UN Women provide frameworks for collaboration while emphasizing women’s voices at the center.

Policies that integrate education, workplace reform, community engagement, and accountability can transform men’s involvement from symbolic support to meaningful partnership in gender equality.

Men’s role in women’s rights is not peripheral but central. As beneficiaries of patriarchal systems, men have both the responsibility and the capacity to challenge norms that perpetuate inequality. Evidence shows that men’s participation in cultural transformation, domestic responsibilities, institutional reform, and violence prevention can significantly advance women’s rights.

Yet engagement is not without challenges. Risks of recentralizing male voices, resistance from entrenched attitudes, and structural barriers must be addressed. The path forward requires accountability to women-led movements, attention to intersectionality, and policies that make equality a shared responsibility.

The HeForShe campaign and global case studies illustrate that when men act as partners, societies move closer to justice. True gender equality will only be achieved when men recognize that women’s rights are human rights, and that their active involvement is both necessary and transformative.

1. Barker, G., Ricardo, C., & Nascimento, M. (2011). Engaging Men and Boys in Changing Gender-Based Inequity in Health: Evidence from Programme Interventions. WHO.
2. Burnet, J. E. (2011). Women have found respect: Gender quotas, symbolic representation, and female empowerment in Rwanda. Politics & Gender, 7(3), 303–334.
3. Cornwall, A., Edström, J., & Greig, A. (2011). Men and Development: Politicizing Masculinities. Zed Books.
4. Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241–1299.
5. Flood, M. (2011). Involving men in efforts to end violence against women. Men and Masculinities, 14(3), 358–377.
6. Jewkes, R., Flood, M., & Lang, J. (2015). From work with men and boys to changes of social norms and reduction of inequities in gender relations: A conceptual shift in prevention of violence against women and girls. The Lancet, 385(9977), 1580–1589.
7. Kimmel, M. (2017). Angry White Men: American Masculinity at the End of an Era. Nation Books.