About the Project
While gender is often understood as a women’s issue, the project takes a broader perspective—recognizing that inequalities are shaped by systemic power structures and social norms. By engaging men as allies, it aims to foster more inclusive, effective and resilient organizations.
Project at a Glance
In 2023, WIIS Brussels started a new initiative looking at the role of masculinities in peace, conflict and security. ‘Gender’ continues to be understood as synonymous for women. Yet, the responsibility of achieving gender equality should not solely be on the shoulders of women. In fact, by focusing on women, gender risks being addressed at the level of individuals instead of being seen as the result of power relations in a system, which requires structural change.
Working on masculinities holds real potential towards developing a more transformative approach to violence and peace. As such work on masculinities can have a significant impact on the culture and internal dynamics of security organizations, such as NATO. Following an initial awareness raising event and a comprehensive series of interviews with NATO Staff members held in 2025, WIIS Brussels developed tailored guidelines on engaging men in gender equality at NATO.
The guidelines challenge the perception of gender as solely a women’s issue and highlight the critical role of engaging men in advancing gender equality at NATO. They provide practical strategies for engaging men as active allies in promoting gender equality. The presentation of the guidelines in January 2026 at NATO HQ was accompanied by a series of practical trainings.