Feminism has often had an uneasy and divisive relationship with the role men can play in undoing gender hierarchies. But in recent years, many feminists have gone from seeing men as the problem to a necessary and important part of the solution. Campaigns like UN Women’s He4She fronted by Emma Watson, and calls from eminent feminist scholars like bell hooks in her book, ‘The Will To Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love’, show how feminism is increasingly being seen as important for people on all sides of oppressive systems in society.

But does this really mean men can be feminists or feminist ‘allies’? Can a man be feminist if he has never experienced gender-based oppression (of course many men have had such experiences, but many have not). How important is having lived experience as a woman versus being a passionate and empathetic supporter of feminism? What responsibilities do men have to challenge sexism and rape culture? And how do other intersections such as race, class, sexual orientation, and ability (to name a few) impact the debate?

In a world in which the feminist label gets used like a badge of progressiveness by some men, and mocked as weak and man-hating by others, the place of men in feminism is at a critical point as it gains increasing media and political attention. We hope to have a constructive discussion on if and how men can engage (and be engaged) in feminism. To put it simply, where do men fit into all this?”

Time: 19:30-22:30

This event is organised by The Feminist Club Amsterdam.

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