Male involvement in the prevention of violence against women and children in Metro Cebu: Influences, extent and effects

This is an exploratory study on male involvement in the prevention of violence against women and children (VWAC) in Metro Cebu. It describes Men Opposed to Violence against Women and Children (MOVAWC) as a male-led organization that is working on male involvement in Metro Cebu. Likewise, it identifies the factors motivating men\u27s involvement in MOVAWC and examines the nature and scope of their involvement and the perceived intrapersonal and interpersonal effects from their involvement in MOVAWC. Key informant interview and review of documents were utilized in gathering the data for this study. Nine MOVAWC officers and four members were interviewed using a key informant interview guide. MOVAWC documents were reviewed using a document review guide. The five MOVAWC founders were interviewed to clarify the documents. MOVAWC is an informal organization formed in 1998 in Cebu City. It aims to achieve a gender-responsive community that fosters equal treatment of men and women. It has a total of 150 registered members working on a voluntary basis. It is operating under Kauswagan Community Social Center, Inc. and it only undertakes advocacy. The informants are mostly middle aged and with high educational attainment. Likewise, they are married and with an average number of children of 2. They have different professional background and are employed in different organizations in Metro Cebu. They are engaged in gender-related activities prior to their involvement in MOVAWC. Organizational, familial and personal factors motivate men\u27s involvement in MOVAWC. The extent of their involvement in MOVAWC is limited only to advocacy-related roles. Likewise their involvement in MOVAWC has significant intrapersonal effects and interpersonal effects. Results indicate that male involvement in the prevention of VAWC is limited. Issues about organizational and personal motivating factors to male involvement in VAWC prevention are discussed