At least nine all-male groups have been organized in six local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental to support efforts to end violence against women.

Onna Rhea Quizo, executive director of the Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE) in the province, said during a Kapihan sa PIA forum that these groups have been trained and are receiving guidance from advocacy groups to further their cause.

Quizo said the creation of such groups stemmed from the observation that men seldom pay attention to female resource persons in workshops if the topic is about the protection of women’s rights.

“We saw the tool that men talking to men is more effective because who else would be better to encourage men to be part of the advocacy than men themselves,” she said.

Since the formation of the first group in Amlan a few years ago, similar organizations have been formed in Valencia, Dauin, San Jose, Manjuyod, and capital Dumaguete City.

Some LGUs even have more than one group, Quizo said.

A total of 160 men in these LGUs are active members of these groups, she added.

These men’s groups go through a module and are taught about the types of violence against women, reproductive health, including vasectomy, and positive masculinity, among others.

Quizo said members of these men’s groups are authorized to be facilitators in seminars, forums and similar activities. (PNA)