Man tasol I ken senisim man: Only men can change men to address gender based violence in Bougainville

Abstract

The almost ten year civil war, known locally as ‘the crisis’ from 1989-1998 transformed the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. It changed traditional, social, and cultural structures. Violent masculine tendencies emerged during the crisis and have subsequently become normalised and entrenched into the current post conflict society, leading to increased gender based violence (GBV). Three out of four women experience some a form of violence by their partners. Local grassroots organisations in Bougainville have voluntarily initiated programmes to address GBV. The Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation is an important local organisation that have implemented a male advocacy programme (MAP) which aims to address GBV, foster gender equality and create societal change. Based on extensive fieldwork carried out in Bougainville and previous Volunteer Service Abroad experience, this research analyses the effectiveness of the current male advocacy programme as a way in which to address gender based violence. The MAP operates in a number of rural communities and involves community conversations by trained male facilitators for male and female community members. In particular, this study explores how this programme is a locally designed, participatory gender sensitive approach, based around a human rights framework that incorporates theology and Melanesian culture. The research questions that focus this work ask, what is the prevalence of GBV in Bougainville today, how the MAP addresses GBV and how effective the MAP is in addressing GBV. To address these questions, I use a feminist framework and decolonising methodology to obtain data and utilised a wide literature base. Through 35 semi-structured interviews undertaken in Bougainville, this thesis argues three particular points. First, that the design of a programme to address GBV must be homegrown and culturally appropriate. Secondly, men need to be educated by men and require the support of women and their communities to change. Thirdly, that specific aspects of Bougainvillean culture permits men to change in this programme. This thesis outlines how this programme, facilitated by ex-perpetrators of violence, subverts harmful masculinities and draws upon cultural ideologies such as forgiveness and reconciliation to enable men to change, and create safer and more peaceful communities. This research provides an evidence base for understanding the conditions and resourcing required for a successful programme in Bougainville.