The Action Tracks and their Co-Conveners
About The Seven Action Tracks
Each of the Changemakers has been assigned one of the following seven themed action tracks, co-convened by Equimundo working in partnership with an invited lead Co-convener. Each action track will start with a problem statement that the Changemakers will work together to solve. The seven action tracks are:
Caring Online Spaces
In partnership with Safe Online
The last few years have seen a massive growth in male-dominated online spaces, sometimes known as the Manosphere. As young men in many parts of the world spend more time online, they are often defining their identities in these spaces. While much of this is harmless, some young men are being drawn into negative spaces where misogynistic, extremist content, porn, and other harmful messaging is flourishing. This action track will look at solutions to: build digital communities that include pro-social components; encourage positive interaction; challenge harmful messages; explore ways of building positive content online; counter harmful content, and how to engage tech platforms as allies in solutions.
Men’s Health & Health for All
In partnership with Global Action on Men’s Health
Men’s health is still largely missing from international public health discussions outside high profile efforts that are taking place mostly in the global north. In addition, men’s poor health outcomes and gender-specific health vulnerabilities have largely been seen separately from the health of women, children, and others. This action track will look at solutions related to men’s mental and physical health and identify solutions on how health systems can support them. Among the challenges to be addressed: How can we bring needed attention to men’s health while also engaging men as allies for the health of all?
Men and Care Policies
In partnership with Alianza Global por los Cuidados (Global Alliance for Care)
Globally, men continue to do less than an equitable share of hands-on care of children, the elderly, and others due to a combination of policy gaps, poverty, and social norms. The global MenCare campaign, led by Equimundo, has worked around the world to push care policies that promote men’s engagement, alongside necessary care policies that support female caregivers. Bringing together the largest global platform of feminist-informed care advocacy, this group will look at the hindrances to progress on care policies and how to engage men as full allies in them.
Caring Manhood in Workplaces
In partnership with Champions of Change Coalition
Workplaces play a huge role in supporting or hindering gender equality and care policies, and positive ideas about manhood. This track will identify solutions that engage companies, unions, and relevant government agencies, including solutions that discuss the implications of artificial intelligence and automation and more.
Caring Manhood in Cities & Regions
In partnership with Van Leer Foundation
Because cities and regions are typically spaces where public services to individuals and families are delivered, they offer huge potential for channelling good models for care. This action track will propose solutions on how local governments can design public spaces, transport, housing, and services that support caregiving and engage men as caregivers, as well as violence prevention, and how they can create safer, more inclusive communities. Changemakers in this track will include city leaders who are already designing cities where care is visible, shared, and accessible to everyone.
Boys & Education
In partnership with American Institute for Boys and Men
Caring educational environments can help boys reach their full potential. This group will explore how education systems can better understand boys’ gendered experiences and patterns of underachievement, while developing strategies that support their holistic growth. The goal is to create spaces where boys are both seen and are able to see others with empathy – ultimately enabling them to thrive in all areas of life, relationships, and future opportunities.
The changemakers will build momentum by engaging key stakeholders who shape education and training systems, from teachers and academics to policymakers and the media. Together, they will work to shift how boys are taught, expand the range of careers presented to them, and improve the messages they receive through education.
Democracy, Civic Engagement & Masculinity
In partnership with The Christchurch Call
In some countries, men are becoming more oppositional to gender equality and are more likely than women to support autocratic leaders and policies. In others, men are also becoming disengaged from civic life and represent the majority of those who are engaging in extremist and backlash activism and violence. This action track will develop solutions on how to engage young men in positive, pro-social ways and how to strengthen civic life, rebuild trust, and reduce polarization.