Allyship is not enough: It’s time for men to begin their own work of transformation

By Joni van de Sand

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For centuries, women have worked to be the architects of our own evolution. While major gaps remain and progress is patchy, women’s movements have systematically dismantled outdated stereotypes and systems — securing the vote, reclaiming bodily autonomy, and redefining their place in politics, the workplace and the home. 

While the definition of womanhood is expanding to challenge and meet the demands of a changing world, the traditional script for men has remained largely static. Men, in general, have not undertaken a comparable process of reflection and transformation.

Despite today’s unprecedented spotlight on masculinity in media and politics, we continue to face a cultural lag. As women rightfully claim space in the public and economic spheres, men must do more than just observe — they must fundamentally recalibrate what it means to be a man today.

Mobilising men to do this — for their own benefit as well as that of women, girls, and people of diverse genders — is at the heart of the work of many members of MenEngage Alliance.

As a global alliance, we have been bringing together collective insights for over two decades. For example, our 2020 paper, Contexts and Challenges for Gender Transformation Work with Men and Boys, unpacked the political and cultural trends shaping this work.

At that time we traced the links between masculinity and political, economic, social, and digital trends. This included zooming out to see masculinities in the context of — and embedded within — authoritarianism, militarism, neoliberalism, the climate crisis, antifeminism, normalized violence, online spaces and the manosphere.

Indeed, the far right has recognized the power of the masculinities discourse, increasingly weaponizing it to reach and influence young men. By exploiting anxieties for political and economic gain, they use fear and blame — often of minorities and women — to mobilize men as instruments of hard-right politics and the bolstering of a deeply unfair and unequal social hierarchy. These trends are systematically amplified by tech algorithms and the structures of powerful technology companies.

While there are certain men in positions of power who must be held accountable for perpetuating inequality, our work is not about individual blame of men and boys in general. Instead, we invite men and boys to become agents of change — dismantling the harmful norms that restrict women and gender-diverse people while reclaiming their own humanity.

What this looks like in practice makes up a rich tapestry of interventions all over the world. The MenEngage community bridges the gap between theory and practice, drawing on deep collective expertise to engage men and boys through proven, real-world interventions.

Looking ahead, several steps are crucial.

First, we need to engage the ​“moveable middle” — men and boys who are open to change, particularly on specific issues. This requires listening carefully to their experiences, concerns, and motivations. Many have emphasized the importance of truly hearing men’s perspectives, especially regarding job security, mental and sexual health, and relationships.

At the same time, it is essential to examine how patriarchy and interconnected systems of inequality — such as racism and class — also negatively impact men and boys. Engagement must happen in the contexts where men are: workplaces, health services, schools, and online spaces. Creative narratives and communication strategies are key, and we can learn from practitioners who have successfully built compelling and transformative narratives to ​“call men and boys in” on issues related to gender equality and human rights.

We must also visibilize alternative expressions of manhood by highlighting role models whose stories can be seen and heard. Creating spaces for connection is equally important, as many men lack a sense of community. A critical element of this work is connecting men and boys with women’s lived experiences. Hearing firsthand accounts — such as experiences of sexual harassment and the strategies women use to protect themselves — can be transformative. These moments provide entry points for deeper discussions about inequality, privilege, and power, moving beyond addressing men’s issues in isolation — opening pathways for advancing human well-being for all.

This is, ultimately, a call to action.

Over the years that practitioners have been mobilising under the MenEngage Alliance banner, we have noted common trends that hold back progress. With limited resources many initiatives remain small-scale and short-term, and there is a lack of visibility, cross-learning, and joint action across efforts. Additionally, the complexity of our narratives calls for renewed and more effective communication strategies.

MenEngage contributes through several initiatives. One example is the ​“Men in Positions of Power” initiative, which seeks to mobilize men in political spaces to responsibly and genuinely support gender equality, working with them over the long term to advance feminist goals. Another focus is intervening in online debates to prevent extremism within male-dominated digital spaces. This includes building capacity in narrative analysis and developing strategies to influence conversations — disrupting harmful discourse and redirecting it toward equality and nonviolence.

Above all, there is a need to support local, context-specific work. Efforts to engage men and boys must be rooted in local communities and institutions, recognizing that approaches cannot simply be copied from one country to another. Context matters — actors, issues, and narratives differ widely.

Support should therefore focus on connecting and growing local campaigns, community-based work, collaboration with policymakers on legislative reforms and public policy, media initiatives, and the work of diverse local activists. It is also essential to challenge hierarchies within this field — questioning who has a voice, who is visible, and who receives funding.

MenEngage has built a strong infrastructure for collaboration, including national and regional networks in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, North America, and South Asia, and additional or emerging country networks in Korea, Australia and Lebanon.  The organizations and individuals in these networks bring deep expertise in working with men and boys from feminist and gender equality perspectives and represent a valuable resource.

This is a call for stronger collaboration — among civil society organizations, academic institutions, funding communities, and government bodies — to build on existing knowledge and expand this urgent work. Because the need is not only immediate, it is existential.

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This opinion editorial was adapted from a speech delivered by Joni van de Sand, global co-director of MenEngage Alliance, at the 9^th International Colloquium on Men and Masculinities Studies held in Querétaro, Mexico, from 19 to 21 April 2026.