The project will be a joint project of the Non Governmental Organisations, Women
and Development Studies Group (WDSG) and Men Against Violence Against Women (MAVAW). It
will be implemented in two (2) phases:
Phase I will seek to train fifteen (15) men who are active
and influential on a grass-roots level in their communities to sensitise other male
residents of the communities to gender issues.
In Phase II, these men will each set up male outreach
groups of approximately fifteen (15) men in their communities to maintain the
sensitization activity and continue to disseminate information on gender issues and the
various techniques taught at the workshops.
By completion, the project will have impacted upon at least two hundred and
twenty-five (225) men and women and children with whom they come into contact on a daily
basis. Experts in the areas of psychology, gender sensitization and re-evaluation
counselling will be procured to administer the programme. Six (6) men will be chosen from
rural communities while seven (7) others will be selected from urban communities.
Some topics to be dealt with during the training workshops include : gender definition; self-esteem; conflict resolution & anger
management; parenting and re-evaluation counselling.
Executing Agencies:
1. Women and Development Studies Group
Centre for Gender Development Studies
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
Contact Person : Vanessa Martina
Tel. : (868) 622-2735 or (868) 645-3232 Ext. 3548
2. Men Against Violence Against Women
32 New Street, Port of Spain
Contact Person : Donald Berment
Tel.: (868) 637-0924
Project Duration : October 1999 - November 2000
Project Innovation
This project represents a unique attempt in Trinidad and Tobago to
focus upon a small group of 15 men as opposed to a large target group activity of gender
senstisation.
Previously, organisations such as Lifeline have dealt with issues of masculinity
and violence, but with audiences of greater proportions. Not only, however, is the size of
the target group with whom direct contact will be made a deviation from past exercises; this
will represent the first time that men will be targeted specifically for gender
sensitisation with a view to train them and influence others in their communities.
This project also represents the joint effort and collaboration of a men's movement
organisation (MAVAW) and a women's group (WDSG). It manifests a recognition of the need
for various organisations and especially the two genders, men and women, to work together
for social development.
Notably, one of the goals of the project, "reaching the man inside" in an
attempt to redefine contemporary Caribbean masculinity for the self-development of men and
the overall improvement of social relations is the most exciting feature of the project as
it recognises the need to address the hurts and violences done to men and women by
restrictive and often violent definitions of "manhood" (Miller, 1993).
As an unprecedented endeavour, the intention would be to produce a Training manual
based upon the experiences of this project which could be used to produce similar
"Man to Man : Training the Trainers Project" programmes throughout the region, as
our research has not uncovered implementation of a similar project anywhere
else in the Caribbean.
Empowerment
It is expected that this project will positively impact on the lives of the
following beneficiaries :-
During Phase I :
* Participants will be equipped with skills to conduct support groups thereby
facilitating ongoing outreach activity.
* The writing skills of participants should be enhanced due to exposure to writing
skills sessions.
During Phase II :
* Participants will gain considerable skills in managing interpersonal relations
situations.
* Participants will be empowered through an increase in self awareness and self
acceptance through more liberal approaches to issues of masculinity.
* The women and children with whom the participants interact would be empowered by
changes in attitude and a willingness to accept change or choice or both.
Prospects For Success
The following factors impact on this proposed project's likelihood for success :
* Personnel identifies to execute this project are among the best in their fields
of expertise and have a great number of years experience. As previously-mentioned, experts
will be drawn from the areas of psychology, gender sensitization and re-evaluation
counselling. Some such persons have already been approached and have a willingness to
participate and confidence in the structure of the proposed programme.
* The techniques to be employed during the training sessions are among the most
powerful tools identified behaviour modification.
* The goal of "reaching the man inside" is compatible with
the re-evaluation counselling aspect of this programme because of the tenets of this type
of counselling. It recognises that the dysfunction of a person is directly related to past
negative experiences which disable a person's ability to react in their most intelligent
capacity when faced with similar situations. By removing the distress which has been
created by past experiences, we can find that truly beautiful and effective person capable
of maintaining harmonious relationships in all spheres of life. In this project we seek to
heighten awareness of the restrictions which the traditional construction of masculinity
places on men and women and to improve interpersonal skills which in turn improve the
quality of social interactions in daily life. The re-evaluation counselling component is
ideally suited for this purpose and therefore significantly contributes to the likelihood
of the project's success.
Copyright (c) 1999 Men Against Violence Against
Women All rights reserved
32 New Street, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago
Voice : (868) 625-9431
Hotlines : (868) 637-0924, (868) 668-5133
Fax : (868) 623-0193
Email : mavaw@usa.net
