New speaker series launches with webinar on boys’ radicalization - latest news from North America MenEngage Network
- Published On
- 4 Jul 2025
- Published By
- North America
- Reading Time
- 3 minutes
- Resource Type
- Update
A Note From The Board
Dear Members,
Our commitment to gender justice is stronger than ever, and we are deeply inspired by the powerful conversations from our March Brave Space session. Your voices, insights, and dedication fuel our work, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.
This month, we’re thrilled to launch our Speaker Series with Understanding Boys’ Radicalization and the Manosphere, an urgent conversation about the forces shaping young men’s identities today. We’re also amplifying My Friend, Max Hate / Mon Ami, Max Hate, White Ribbon Canada’s powerful campaign exposing how unhealthy online spaces recruit boys into harmful ideologies, and reflecting on key takeaways from the UN’s 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).
To support this critical work, we’re sharing articles that explore masculinity’s impact on young men, helping us all better understand and challenge these influences. We invite you to engage, learn, and act with us as we push forward together.
With gratitude and solidarity,
The NAMEN Team
NAMEN Board Members, March 2025
My Friend, Max Hate
White Ribbon (Canada) launched its new campaign, My Friend, Max Hate / Mon Ami, Max Hate.
This PSA reveals how unhealthy online communities recruit young men and boys into misogynistic and discriminatory ideologies. Through the PSA and campaign resources, White Ribbon provides educators, parents, and all adults with the tools to prevent the spread of hate and promote non-violent, equitable masculinities.
The campaign features a strong social media activation with content that unpacks the grooming methods of the manosphere, visit White Ribbon’s Instagram account or the TikTok account @max_hate to see more.
White Ribbon launched My Friend, Max Hate / Mon Ami, Max Hate with a special event featuring the first screening of the PSA and a panel of experts discussing how to challenge online radicalization.
The discussion explored the dangers of the “manosphere,” the impact of online radicalization, and the collective responsibility to stop the spread of harmful ideologies. Watch the panel discussion here.
Reflections from CSW69 in NYC
NAMEN was represented at the Convention on the 69th Status of Women (CSW) in NYC in March by various members of our network. There were numerous events dedicated to furthering the discussion on the role men and boys can play in advancing gender equality. We’re pleased to highlight one of our member’s reflections from their week:
“I have been in a state of uncertainty and disillusionment given the recent setbacks to equality in the North American Region. However, all of this changed when I convened with other MenEngage Alliance members at CSW69. While the challenges of the current moment loomed before us, we remained resolute in our commitment to gender justice. I personally saw how this unwavering passion will translate into praxis moving forward. From developing strategies to address amidst anti-feminist backlash to collaborating across various cultural contexts, the Alliance creates space for all genders to find a shared stake in achieving equality. For me, these efforts represent a light amidst the darkness of regressive political trends across the globe” — Alex Nelson
Upcoming Events
April 23, 2025
Understanding Boys’ Radicalization and the Manosphere
Join us for a compelling conversation with thought leaders from the U.S. and Canada as we explore how boys are being drawn into radicalization and exposed to manosphere content. Our panel will share insights on the forces driving this phenomenon, its impact on gender equality, and strategies to counter harmful narratives. Don’t miss this critical discussion on addressing online radicalization and fostering healthier pathways for boys and young men.
Register Here:
https://bit.ly/namenspeaks
May 2025
Brave Space & Movement Building
We’ll be creating space within the NAMEN network to address the current context of backlash against gender equality and healthy masculinity.
Key Reads on Masculinity and Gender Justice
This multinational study developed the Global Concept of ‘Unmanliness’ (GCU) to analyze masculinity norms across 15 countries. Findings show that in high-gender-equality nations, unmanliness is linked to femininity, while in lower-equality countries, it relates to harmful behaviors.
A new report from Common Sense Media highlights a gender gap in screen time among kids under 9, with boys spending 24% more time on screens than girls. This pattern persists across all ages, raising questions about its impact on social development, academic performance, and long-term gender differences.
Gen Z is the most divided generation on gender roles and women’s rights, with stark differences between men and women on feminism and equality progress. A global study finds increasing gender tensions, with Gen Z men less likely to identify as feminists, highlighting a new “battle of the sexes.”
Deepening your engagement with NAMEN
Do you know an organization who might be interested in joining the network? Have them get in touch.
Do you have an event in May or resources to share with our network? Send them our way and we’ll include it in the April newsletter.
Do you want to serve on a global working group? Send us a note via email to learn more.
Get in Touch
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