Men for Gender Equality Now (MEGEN) Kenya
Men for Gender Equality Now (MEGEN) Kenya is a network of men and women activists, who engage in community education work , advocacy and campaigning, in order to challenge unequal gendered power relations, transform harmful masculinities into positive ones, and put an end to gender-based violence (GBV). MEGEN was started in 2001 by the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), as a way of reaching out to men, and include them in the fight against GBV and for a more gender equal world.
Artists PerformingSince its inception, MEGEN has reached out to thousands of men and women in Kenya, assisting them to understand the importance of ending GBV and realizing gender equality, in order to create healthy and loving relationships with in the family and the community. By mid-2008, MEGEN was registered as an independent organization, with more than 200 active members, working in 15 constituencies around Kenya.
Vision
“A violence free society where females and males are valued equally.”
Mission
“Transforming the Kenyan Society to embrace gender equality”
Goal
“The creation of a critical mass of Kenyan men and women who believe in gender equality and are able to influence communities, organizations, and the public to embrace gender equality.”
Main achievements of MEGEN
- Established a Rapid Response Team assisting GBV survivors in accessing justice and medical services. Up to June 2008, the team had handled 200 cases of violence against women, out of which 100 have been concluded in favor of the survivor, 30 have been dismissed for lack of evidence, and 70 are still in court;
- Mobilized 200 activists, men and women from diverse cultural and socio-economic background, working towards eradicating GBV in 7 districts and 15 constituencies across Kenya;
- Held annual Men’s Traveling Conference (MTC) during the 16 days of Activism on Violence Against Women, reaching out to thousands of Communities in remote areas all over Kenya, with messages on the importance of involving men in the fight against GBV and HIV and AIDS;
- Contributed to the transformation of individual men from perpetrators of violence to supporters and advocates for the movement against GBV;
- Contributed to popularizing the Sexual Offences Act of 2006 at the grassroots level.
Programmes
- Rapid Response: MEGEN runs a Rapid Response program, which offers support services to survivors of sexual- and gender based violence (SGBV), directly or through referrals. Members of the Rapid Response Team assist in rescuing survivors from dangerous situations, facilitate access to treatment, assist survivors in contacts with the police and other authorities, and do referrals to organizations providing shelter, counseling and legal services. Team members, who all work on a voluntary basis, also attend court sessions in solidarity with survivors.
- The MEGEN Gender Training was set up in 2004. Since its inception it benefited immensely from the Gender training experience of FEMNET (The African Women’s Development and Communication Network).
- Since 2003, MEGEN Kenya has annually organised what has been dubbed the “Men’s Traveling Conference” (MTC) during the 16 Days of Activism on Gender Violence, November 25 – December 10. The MTC is a conference on-the-move, through which hundreds of men and women activists from MEGEN and partner organisations in Kenya and elsewhere travel to remote towns and villages by bus, encouraging grassroots men and women, local leaders and law enforcement officers to take action against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
- The Resource Mobilisation Programme deals with fundraising and offering competitive consultancy services for organisations and corporate bodies. Depending on the needs of specific corporate bodies, MEGEN Training can develop gender policies in the workplace and training members on gender issues and transforming masculinities.
References
See also
Engaging Men and Boys as Allies for Long-Term Change (UN Women) – 23 September, 2011