Hundreds of men gathered outside the Swiss parliament in Bern on Saturday to protest the prevalence of misogyny and violence against women. The demonstration, organized by the group maenner and social worker Christoph Gosteli, called for men to take an active role in ending the problem.
Gosteli, 42, said, “We men are part of the problem – the problem being violence against women and queer people. That is why it is important for us to take a stand and say, ‘We no longer want to be part of the problem; we want to be part of the solution.’” The rally highlighted concerns that teenage boys and young men are exposed to misogynistic content online, especially from the right‑wing “manosphere,” a loose network that promotes male supremacy and hostility to feminism.
A recent study by the University of Zurich and MenCare found that half of male respondents aged 18 to 24 held a “restrictive and dominance‑based view of masculinity.” The researchers urged a “systematic and society‑wide debate about ideals of masculinity that promote violence,” beginning in schools.
Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans, who attended a conference on violent online abuse earlier this month, noted in a November 2 speech that men commit four‑fifths of violent crimes and that the share in rape cases is “as high as 99 percent.” He added, “It is not all men. But we must also admit: It is almost always men. Violence by men does not begin with the first blow; it begins with a disparaging remark. We men all have a duty.”
Source: Al Jazeera
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