We run workshops in businesses and organisations where we talk with men about the reality of male violence against women and girls, the strategies that the women in their life employ to keep themselves safe from that violence, and what they can do to change our culture to one of no violence.
You can find us in Brewdog at the Barcode every other Wednesday, if you want to come and have a beer, a coffee and most importantly a chat. We want to hear your thoughts and opinions.
Get in touch
Alternatively, if you’d like us to come into your business, sports or social club. We offer workshops and can tailor to your specific challenges or goals. If you’d like to know more click the link or contact us at info@manculture.co.uk
At the end of 2021, following a number of high––profile national cases and tragic events within Plymouth, the topic of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) was made a key priority both nationally and locally. Part of these discussions, rightly centred on seeking the experiences, views and opinions of the women and girls in the city. However, it was identified that half the city’s population was being omitted, the men and boys.
To enable culture change, we need to be open and listen to the views and opinions of the men and boys in the city while challenging behaviours that cause the fear and harm of male violence. Consequently, 12 men from various industries, backgrounds and agencies came together to form an allyship that would listen to men and boys in the city, facilitate the difficult conversations needed to address male culture, and support the safety of women and girls in the city.
We hope to build a growing ‘Male Allyship Network’ who will provide the space to have honest conversations about masculinity and male violence, address cultural issues regarding equality and stand up to harmful behaviours that act as a barrier to everyone being safer in Plymouth.
We are doing this to raise the awareness of the impact of violence against women and girls (VAWG) to men and boys in Plymouth, to influence culture change, contribute to reducing male violence and make Plymouth a safer place.
By encouraging empathetic dialogue between gender groups to understand and engage the voices and experiences of men and boys in Plymouth while informing and disrupting negative influences to facilitate social change.
Through the development a network of male allies in Plymouth that acknowledge male privilege and bias, will listen non-judgementally and facilitate effective conversations in male-populated environments regarding people’s experiences of masculinity and how this may impact other groups.
Gabor Maté, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction
Our Objectives
Supporting the voices of women and girls in Plymouth.
Utilise a media strategy to facilitate reach into relevant parts of the local community.
Evidence gathering via surveys & focus-groups.
Effective engagement and campaigning with relevant agencies.
The employment of education and training to inform and recruit relevant individuals, groups and organisations.
Fostering a positive ‘man culture’ characterized by the values: respect, integrity, and accountability.
Raising awareness through the sharing of relevant lived experiences.
Provision of an annual conference to raise awareness, share experience, attract and recruit members to the network.