A civil society activist has called on institutions implementing gender-based violence programs to involve more men and boys, saying their exclusion could make it difficult for male survivors to report cases and access support.

Yika Marina Mogga, Project Manager at Women Organization for Justice and Equality, WOJE, says although men are often identified as perpetrators of gender-based violence, some men and boys also experience violence and require assistance.

Speaking on the Under the Tree programme, Mogga said WOJE faces challenges in providing services to male survivors because its case-management and case-worker positions are currently occupied by women.

She says some men may feel uncomfortable sharing their experiences of GBV with female case workers, which can discourage them from seeking help.

Mogga says another challenge is that many men perceive GBV services as being designed mainly for women.

“For the men I think a lot of awareness is happening on one side, for the women alone so men have taken it like all organizations are working for women.”

She says institutions need to ensure that awareness and case-management services are accessible to both men and women, including having male case workers where possible.

Mogga also identifies several factors that prevent women from reporting GBV, including fear of bringing shame to their families, stigma and discrimination within communities.

She says some women choose not to report cases because they fear their families could be shamed in the community.

The WOJE project manager says the continued focus on women and girls without adequate attention to boys and men could create a gap in GBV prevention and response.

She is therefore calling for broader awareness programs that include both sexes to improve understanding of gender-based violence and make reporting and access to support easier for all survivors.