Handbook / Handbook for planning and implementing peer projects for a critical understanding of masculinity and prevention of gender-based violence

The Handbook for planning and implementing peer projects on critical understanding of masculinity and prevention of gender-based violence contains recommendations and suggestions to help educational staff (teachers, social pedagogues, youth and social workers) plan and implement peer training on critical understanding of masculinity and prevention of gender-based violence.

The present handbook was developed in the framework of the Caring Masculinities in Action (CarMiA) project, which aims to prevent gender-based violence by raising awareness and educating about stereotypes of masculinity and promoting non-violence and gender equality among boys and young men.

In focus groups with young people and professional staff, we found that young people show a great openness and curiosity to address masculinity, but spaces for critical reflection on masculinity are rare. The CarMiA project fills the gap with a peer-to-peer approach. Through the change-makers training method, we have trained young people to deliver peer-led workshops on gender, masculinity and gender-based violence in schools or youth clubs. The workshops were targeted mainly, but not exclusively, at boys.

The manual is structured in such a way that a theoretical introduction is followed by a guide for professional staff on how to plan and deliver peer work training. The next part is a guide for peer trainers. It aims to support the preparation and delivery of workshops, facilitating groups and dealing with distractions and disclosing experiences of violence and discriminatory statements. The following is additional material, which has proved useful in the CarMiA project, and which contains templates and job aids for the implementation of peer workshops. A glossary of common terms and web links to additional material conclude the handbook.