A New Masculinity

Women have the right to a life without violence. However, our society fails to grant them this right because relationships between men and women in Bolivia are totally unbalanced: we see relationships characterised by oppression and subjugation. This is the result of gender stereotypes defining male and female identity. These are rooted in the patriarchal and colonial system of oppression.

Female identity is based on subordination and an emotional, material and economic dependence on men. By contrast, male identity is associated with the idea of being a leader upon whom others depend, a leader who makes decisions and has power. This historic construct is hundreds of years old, even if it has changed over time.

Women nowadays are no longer the property of men. They can take their own political and economic decisions and also have access to spheres of power. Nonetheless, they are still dependent in so many ways – including emotionally, economically and politically. Until women have complete autonomy over their lives, their bodies and their decisions, we will remain stuck in this structure of inequality.

From a feminist perspective, we believe it will be very difficult to bring about genuine change in gender relationships unless male identity is deconstructed and men adopt this transformation process for themselves. That’s why we talk about creating a new masculinity that is not suppressive, aggressive or violent – and not defined by the feeling of having power over women. A new masculinity should allow relationships based on gender equality and respect, relationships that are free from violence.

Though there have been changes in some cases, it’s very difficult to achieve sweeping societal change. But yes, our work is bearing fruit. We cooperate with regional law enforcement agencies: they send us men who have been charged with committing violence against women. They then undergo a course of psychotherapy at our centre.

Legally speaking, a man accused of domestic violence can have his trial or sentence suspended under certain conditions. One of these conditions is a course of psychotherapy. The goal is for offenders to learn to control their anger. They are encouraged to understand that their violent behaviour is part of the hegemonic masculinity construct.  

The course of therapy comprises ten group sessions and ten individual sessions with each participant. A test is conducted both before and after the process to determine the extent to which the men understand the problem and are willing to admit their violent attitudes. It’s hard to gauge any far-reaching changes because behavioural shifts only become evident over time. However, what we can say is that one hundred per cent of the men do acknowledge at the end of their therapy that they exhibit macho behaviour and that some of them are prepared to change this.

We believe that overcoming patriarchy means dismantling the mental, social, cultural and institutional structures that perpetuate the power of men over women. It’s not only about changing laws or discourse. It’s about making changes in daily life, in family relationships and in mindsets that are deeply rooted in society. 

When working with violent offenders, we address the issues of depatriarchalisation and decolonisation in parallel. Men must understand that they have no inherent claim to their power and privileges, that these are in fact social constructs that can and must be changed. This will serve to liberate not only women but also men. The new masculinity will enable them to become more humane and sensitive and free themselves of the compulsion to be violent and dominant. 

- Development And Cooperation