The European Institute for Gender Equality is holding its second Gender Equality Forum in Brussels on 10-11 December 2024.

On 11 December at 11.05 (CET), KMOP will take part at the “Chat & Chill Session: Boys and men as allies in achieving gender equality” of the Gender Equality Forum 2024. This Chat & Chill aims to encourage boys’ and men’s active participation in promoting gender equality and showcase good practices when it comes to male allyship.

Αs part of this session, Elli-Maria Doufexi-Kaplani, Senior Researcher at KMOP, will share the main findings from our work on gender-based violence prevention through psychological counselling with more than 700 junior high school students in Greece in the 2022-2023 school year.

Among our main findings were that:

• Βoys participated almost equally in group discussions but made up just 38% of individual counselling participants. This shift showed us that young males’ reluctance was likely not about disinterest, but perhaps more about the misconception that GBV is not a problem of their concern.
• The persistence of stigma around mental health issues and the use of services, may unequally burden boys who are stereotypically expected to be tougher and less emotional than girls.

How we can encourage boys’ and men’s active participation in promoting gender equality

• Create Safe, Inclusive Spaces: Organize group sessions that include equal participation from both boys and girls to provide a supportive environment where young males feel comfortable expressing themselves and engaging in discussions on gender-based violence (GBV).
• Raise Awareness of Boys’ Role in GBV Prevention: There is a critical need for awareness campaigns that help boys and young men recognize their key role in preventing GBV.
• Involve the Whole Community: Engage boys, girls, parents, teachers, and the broader community in challenging harmful cultural norms and stereotypes that perpetuate gender-based violence.
• Support Youth-Led Initiatives: Encourage youth-led actions, such as workshops and advisory panels, where both boys and girls can voice their needs, concerns, and ideas. These initiatives are crucial for fostering engagement and driving lasting change.

KMOP is proud to share these insights and contribute to a collective effort to promote equality, respect, and empathy for all. Join us in co-creating a future where everyone feels empowered to foster a more equal future.

To discover all the key insights from our work, join us virtually.

Register here.

The Forum provides an important space for conversations on the future of gender equality in Europe until 2030, bringing together experts, young voices, practitioners, and high-level decision-makers from EU institutions, national and local governments, civil society, academia, business, media, and the arts. Discover the full agenda here.