ENB CERTIFIED MALE ADVOCATES CONVERSE ON POWER SHARING

BY WASITA ROYAL

ELEVEN certified male advocates from the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority have gone back to the classroom not to learn about medicine or administration but about challenging the deep-seated ideas of masculinity.

The team is part of the ‘Wok Wantaim Man’ program, an initiative funded by the PNG-Australia partnership with their mission to shift the narrative from male dominance to shared equality.

This approach is a way to stamp out family and sexual violence.

National facilitator Emmanuel Ginis says the men’s willingness to openly discuss the pressures of toxic masculinity has been am eye-opener.

He explains the program challenged the traditional idea in decision-making and relationships, championing a new model and that is sharing power.

Mr. Ginis says when this concept is put into practice, sharing power becomes a conscious choice, reflected in everyday actions.

For these eleven advocates, it’s about proving that true strength lies not in control, but in partnership.

Organizers say the remaining three sessions, to be held later, will focus on practical solutions and the aim is to help these men take the lessons from the workshop floor and apply them in their workplaces and, most importantly, within their own homes.