Engaging Boys and Men as Allies for Long-term Change

In individual households, in the workforce, and in local and national governments, male allies are critical to the sustainable empowerment of girls and women worldwide. From the classroom to the boardroom, girls and women require the support of enlightened males who not only affirm the inherent rights of their female colleagues, wives, sisters, and daughters, but also recognize the positive results they can bring to the bottom line. CGI has identified this aspect of girls' and women's empowerment as one where men, when included, educated, and encouraged, can be pivotal in scaling programs that work to empower girls and women. This panel will explore: how to better incorporate boys and men into existing projects focused on girls and women so that they both support and encourage results; how to create “tipping points” for boys and men to relate to and support an experience different from their own; and how to empower male allies who are comfortable with their role to serve as examples for others in their community. This panel will highlight transitional moments from men who were “converted” based on personal experiences and compelling data and results of women's empowerment. Furthermore, it will explore how to move from transformative moments to fundamentally changing the way men make decisions and allocate resources.