Defying the Odds: Lessons Learnt from Men for Gender Equality Now

This book contains experiences and lessons learned from gender justice activists involved in Men for Gender Equality Now (MEGEN Kenya), an initiative originally set up by the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), and now its own organisation. In the book, men share their personal experiences as individuals and as changemakers. Besides personal stories told by activists, this publication includes short briefs on the work of MEGEN Kenya, highlighting the challenges, successes, and lessons learnt in different programme areas. The aim of publicly sharing these experiences is to inspire other organisations to learn from MEGEN's work with men to promote gender equality and to contribute to the body of knowledge on how men and women can work together to achieve social and gender justice.

According to the preface, while looking at gender and power more broadly, the MEGEN project has focused specifically on preventing and reducing gender-based violence, challenging perceptions that violence is something unchangeable and prescribed by culture and traditions. It has primarily focused on men, encouraging them to transform their relationship with women and to denounce violent behaviour. While writing their stories, the activists were asked to reflect on their own change processes: what sparked their activism around gender and violence? And how has the MEGEN platform been helpful in this process?