Opposed by men and rejected by women: the dilemma of male gender equality activists in Malawi

Abstract

Gender Equality Activism (GEA) encapsulates actions and strategies taken by people or groups to promote the equality of rights and opportunities between men and women (Stake, 2007). Little is known about men’s engagement with GEA, particularly in Malawi, a country which promotes men’s participation. Against this background, this paper discusses the motivations and barriers to men’s participation in GEA in the Southern African country. The research is drawn from a qualitative study that broadly investigated men’s experiences in GEA. Four men and three women, who are all gender equality activists, participated in this study. The findings do not only contribute to the limited knowledge on men’s participation in GEA, but also expands the scope of application for the masculinity theories that underpin the study.