Episode 41

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Published on:

15th May 2024

Men in Politics as Agents of Gender Equitable Change - Dr Ján Michalko (ALiGN)

Why do most men in politics avoid describing themselves and their politics as ‘feminist’? If they do support gender equality, why do they prefer instead to be called allies, advocates or supporters? What does this mean in practice for what men politicians do to promote women’s rights, and address harmful masculine norms? How are they seen by feminist activists, women politicians and young people? These are vital issues given the power men in politics have to drive (or obstruct) change towards gender equality and preventing violence against women. They are discussed in a forthcoming report by Dr Ján Michalko for ODI, a global affairs think tank, drawing on case studies by research teams in Colombia, Liberia and Malaysia. 

We talk to Ján about the findings from the research, its implications for politicians, international donors, civil society and researchers on how to engage with men in positions of power, and what such men can do to promote the transformation of unequal gender norms, in politics and in wider society.

Ján is a Research Fellow in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion at ODI. His research interests are in gender inequalities, political engagement, masculinities, feminist foreign policy, and youth. His work includes supporting the digital ALiGN platform at ODI, which brings together global gender norms research and lessons for transformative change: https://www.alignplatform.org

Read the full research series, including the cross-country analysis and in-depth country reports: https://www.alignplatform.org/research-series-men-politics-agents-gender-equitable-change

Episode timeline:

  • Intro (00:00-02:20)
  • Why ALiGN wanted to research men in politics (02:20-05:35)
  • The political context in Colombia, Liberia & Malaysia (05:35-08:53)
  • Challenges of comparing across contexts (08:53-10:35)
  • Interviewing men in politics (10:35-14:02)
  • The reluctance of men politicians to take on the label ‘feminist’ (14:02-17:19)
  • Actions speak louder than words (17:19-18:54)
  • The risk of falls from grace (18:54-19:53)
  • Factors shaping men politicians' engagement with gender equality (19:53-23:59)
  • Differences across political parties (23:59-26:23)
  • The electoral cycle (26:23-28:40)
  • Break (28:40-28:46)
  • Focus groups with students & activists about their views on men politicians (28:46-32:44)
  • Anti-feminist backlash (32:44-35:55)
  • Barriers & enablers to progress for gender equality politics (35:55-38:15)
  • What actions men in politics can take (38:15-40:17)
  • The influence they have on wider society (40:17-42:08)
  • Their reluctance to reflect on masculinity (42:08-46:29)
  • Ján’s own story of how he got involved in this work (46:29-51:20)
  • Conclusion (Interactions with MPs Tony Benn & Peter Jackson; Men politicians’ motivations for supporting women’s rights over time; Pushes for the Australian govt to address violence against women; The impact women have on men; The risk of the political discourse moving backwards) (51:20-59:18)

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About the Podcast

Now and Men
Current conversations about men's lives
What's it like to be a man in the 21st century? How are feminist issues relevant to men and boys? How can we engage in productive conversations about gender equality? These questions are being discussed more than ever.

Our monthly podcast delves into these issues with experts such as practitioners, activists and academics. In each episode, you’ll hear in-depth conversations about a wide-range of topics connected to masculinity and the lives of men and boys, such as preventing gender-based violence, promoting active fatherhood, and supporting men's health.

The podcast is hosted by two social science researchers, based on the opposite sides of the world: Sandy Ruxton from Durham University's Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (UK) and Dr Stephen Burrell from the University of Melbourne (Australia). If you would like to give us your feedback, suggest a guest, or have a question you'd like us to discuss, get in touch at nowandmen@gmail.com. And if you like what we do, please share us with your friends, and leave a review on Apple podcasts!

About your hosts

Stephen Burrell

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I am a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where I moved from the UK at the beginning of 2024. My research is about men, masculinities and violence. I am particularly interested in the prevention of men's violence against women, building gender equality, addressing environmental harm, and promoting an ethic of care among men and boys. In my spare time I'm a big fan of drinking tea, being in nature, eating vegan ice cream, and listening to heavy metal music. I'm also a trustee for White Ribbon UK.

Sandy Ruxton

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Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Durham University (UK). Independent researcher, expert on men and masculinities. Previous policy work on human rights, children and families, poverty and social exclusion, and asylum and migration. Programme experience with boys and young men in schools, community, and prisons. Steering Committee member, MenEngage Europe. Volunteer for OX4 Food Crew. Chess-player, bike-rider, tree-hugger. Great grandfather edited Boy's Own Paper, but was sacked.