A third of women in Nicaragua has been assaulted by her male partner. What is being done to change men’s violent attitudes and behaviour within the family? After Hurricane Mitch in 1998 domestic violence worsened. In response, Puntos de Encuentro and the Asociación de Hombres Contra la Violencia launched a campaign encouraging men to respect their partners, resolve conflicts peacefully and seek help to avoid domestic violence.

How do men behave within a relationship? What are their attitudes towards their female partners? An initial survey showed that many men in Nicaragua expect women to wait on them, to be passive, and dependent. Men also admitted to feeling threatened by the possibility of being dominated by women.

Do such fears and insecurities lead to conjugal violence? The study revealed, however, that men can have non-violent, positive relationships with women, despite growing up surrounded by aggression.

The devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch pushed men to violent behaviour as family tensions and frustrations increased in the face of disaster. Puntos de Encuentro, working closely with 250 other organisations, developed a massive campaign in 1999 targeting men in seven worst-hit cities. The campaign included national and local media ads over a five month period, posters, pamphlets, educational materials, and training for activists, mostly men: men, research had shown, could best persuade other men to change. Central campaign messages were that:

• Men can avoid violent behaviour.
• Violence against women hinders reconstruction of community life and the entire country.

How successful was the strategy? Did it reach men? Did men listen? Pre- and post-campaign surveys of 2000 men each, and 660 women in the second survey revealed that:

• 60 percent of men surveyed knew about the campaign
• men exposed to the campaign felt that men can prevent violence more than those not exposed to it
• men exposed to the campaign felt that violence negatively affects community development more than those who were not exposed to it
• men with highly dominant attitudes towards their partners were positively affected by the campaign
• a third of men talked to their female partners about the campaign and almost two thirds talked to other men.

The first campaign ever aimed at men to tackle domestic violence in Central America has contributed significantly to raising awareness and changing men’s attitudes and behaviour:

• Men are more aware of the problem of violence against women.
• Men are now more willing to be part of the solution.
• Campaigners are better prepared and equipped with educational tools, added experience, and good publicity to help build new relationships between men and women based on equity and respect.

id21 Research Highlight: 8 January 2001

Further Information:
Irela Solórzano
Fundación Puntos de Encuentro
Rotonda El Gueguense 4c abajo
1c al lago, Apartado Postal RP-39
Managua, Nicaragua

Tel: +505 268 1227
Fax: +505 266 6305
Contact the contributor: puntos@puntos.org.ni

Fundación Puntos de Encuentro, Nicaragua

Oswaldo Montoya
Asociación de Hombres Contra la Violencia
Residencial El Dorado
Farmacia Salazar 2c. al sur, Casa #51
Managua, Nicaragua

Tel: +505 249 4697
Contact the contributor: ahcv@ibw.com.ni

Other related links:
The Swedish Male Network focuses on gender-based violence

The Interactive Population Centre reports on a new role for men

Search BRIDGE on-line Reports on Gender, Conflicts and Emergencies

Bradford University's Department of Peace Studies provides further information on conflict

The African Gender Institute are an African resource for gender equity

The Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales - Chile is a site for Spanish-speakers (their newsletter is also available in English)

The One World site can be searched for further relevant information