Challenging patriarchy, promoting allyship: a campaign by MenEngage India
International Women’s Day serves as a pivotal moment to reflect on the collective responsibility of fostering gender equality. On this important day, MenEngage India launched a powerful campaign that emphasizes the crucial role of men and boys in advancing gender justice. With a call to promote active allyship and challenge patriarchal norms, the campaign mobilized changemakers across India to foster meaningful conversations and sustainable change for a more just and inclusive society.
“Together, we can dismantle the patriarchy! With our shared passion, patience, and open dialogue, we can positively reshape the social norms and harmful ideas about masculinity. Let’s embrace this journey together!”
Yogesh Vaishnav, a representative from Men Engage India
Centering Collective Responsibility
MenEngage Alliance shares the belief that gender equality is a shared responsibility – not one that falls solely on women and marginalized genders. Achieving gender justice requires collective effort, and men and boys have a crucial role to play. This new campaign seeks to create spaces for reflection, dialogue, and action, providing men and boys with the tools they need to become advocates for change.
Through digital storytelling, community-led conversations, and the voices of grassroots leaders, the initiative has highlighted the valuable role men and boys can play in advancing gender justice. Using the platform of @menengage.india, the campaign shared compelling content that engaged diverse audiences across India, sparking widespread participation.
Let's Talk Masculinities
The campaign focused on unpacking how deeply ingrained patriarchal structures restrict not only women and marginalized people, but also men themselves —limiting their emotional well-being, discouraging vulnerability, and reinforcing violent behaviors. By examining the root causes of misogyny and violence and the societal expectations placed on boys from an early age, the initiative encouraged a collective reflection on gender norms and gender justice.
Key themes included:
- Engaging men and boys as active allies in gender justice movements
- Raising boys with empathy, respect, and equality to prevent gender-based violence
- Challenging rigid gender roles and patriarchal structures
- Promoting emotional well-being and self-care among men, fostering deeper connections and healthier relationships
- Encouraging men to share caregiving and household responsibilities
Each of these themes was addressed through video stories from practitioners, educators, and activists across the MenEngage India network, showcasing real examples of change already in motion and how much more is possible when we engage men and boys as active allies.
Carrying the Message Forward
The impact of the campaign has already encouraged greater participation from MenEngage India’s members, leading to an extension of the campaign beyond its initial scope of 10 days. With growing engagement from members and changemakers, the campaign continues to expand, amplifying voices and driving meaningful action toward a more gender-equal society.
The campaign stands as a testament to the power of community-led movements and the importance of centering care, accountability, and inclusivity in efforts to challenge harmful patriarchal norms around masculinities. By amplifying voices of those working on the frontlines and fostering critical self-reflection, MenEngage India is helping to pave the way for the co-creation of a more equitable world.