Tue Nov 19 02:55:19 UTC 2024: ## Shifting Masculinity: The Key to Gender Equality in India, Experts Say
**New Delhi, India** – International Men’s Day serves as a crucial reminder of the need to transform negative and harmful masculinities to create positive societal change in India, experts argue. A redefinition of masculinity is essential to overcome traditional gender roles and achieve genuine progress, emphasizing the crucial role men play in gender equality. The phrase “Har Zindagi Badlegi, Jab Mard Badlega” (Every life will change when men change) highlights this pivotal contribution.
Outdated and harmful patriarchal mindsets have long associated masculinity with dominance, neglect, and callous disregard for others’ well-being. This has suppressed emotional expression in men, hindering gender equality and impeding societal progress. The pervasiveness of patriarchal attitudes in homes, workplaces, and society at large has stifled emotional openness and mutual respect. Men often feel unable to seek help or express vulnerability, leading to suppressed emotions and impacting mental health. This emotional repression contributes to higher suicide rates among men; National Crime Records Bureau data reveals that 72% of suicides in India in 2022 were men.
A significant challenge lies in recognizing the extent to which patriarchal mindsets perpetuate inequality. Studies like the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES)’s “Masculinity and Health” study indicate that men with dominant mindsets are less likely to support gender equality or share household responsibilities. This reinforces gender norms that restrict everyone’s freedom. Even today, NFHS-5 data shows that one-third of men view family planning and contraception as solely women’s concerns.
While men often avoid sharing household chores, they maintain disproportionate decision-making power, hindering women’s choices, especially regarding reproduction, and impacting their economic and social dependence. This cultural construct perpetuates inequality in families and society. Deep-rooted societal norms and expectations, not physical limitations, largely hinder women’s progress, perpetuating the notion that women shouldn’t hold leadership positions or that their primary role is confined to the home.
Experts stress that men cannot remain passive observers in gender equality; they must actively participate in societal change. This requires addressing these societal norms early in life, potentially through investments in education and open dialogue about ingrained beliefs among young people. Initiatives like the Population Foundation of India’s SnehAI AI-powered app help facilitate discussions on sensitive topics, including sexual and reproductive health, relationships, and mental wellness, providing resources for young people to challenge patriarchal attitudes.
This transformation is not age-limited but a continuous journey. The Population Foundation of India’s “Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon” (MKBKSH) initiative demonstrates how media can encourage men to question societal norms and drive change, leading to instances of men advocating for gender equality in communities. The ultimate goal is for men to transition from being sole decision-makers in women’s lives to becoming partners in building a more equitable society, actively participating in childcare, family planning, and household responsibilities. The message is clear: societal progress hinges on men’s participation in achieving gender equality, making shared responsibility the cornerstone of a truly just and progressive society.
First Piper 