This Training Manual for Boys and Men has been developed in line with the advocacy of Women and Media Collective to Recognise, Reducing and Redistributing Unpaid Care Work. It reflects the commitment of WMC to work towards the realization of gender equality across political, social and economic spheres.
The sexual and gender division of labour in households based on prevailing gendered social norms and practices place the responsibilities of family wellbeing on women. Women are expected to be accountable for all unpaid care work in the household which is often labour and time intensive; cooking, cleaning, laundry, child rearing, caring for the elderly and family members with disability. These unpaid care ‘responsibilities’ are expected to be fulfilled whether the woman is in paid work or not. Boys and men are not expected to and most often do not take up these activities as these are seen as girls’ or women’s work. Social norms and practices place expectations on boys and men to live up to prevailing norms of ‘masculinity’ as displays of social, political and economic power which can result in gender-based violence especially against women and girls.
This training module provides a framework for understanding and restructuring the sexual division of labor within the household to promote meaningful gender equality. The training module illustrates the importance of encouraging and enhancing boys’ and men’s involvement in everyday care work without social stigma. It is expected that capacities of men and boys will be strengthened to bring about constructive changes in social relationships to showcase that will all housework can be shared irrespective of sexual and gender identities.
Access the module here.