Feminist solidarity: no boys allowed? Views of pro-feminist men on collaboration and alliance-building with women's movements

Abstract

The field of men's pro-feminist organising continues to build global momentum. Boys and men are both capable, and interested, to take action to support the feminist movement. This article explores the experiences of five men active in pro-feminist organising, focusing in particular on their ways of building solidarity and alliances with women's rights networks. The current context of men's pro-feminist organising and the ways in which alliances are being forged with women's rights networks will be explored, demonstrating a diversity of approaches. The challenges are many, particularly as women's rights networks find themselves in a hostile funding climate, and ‘men's rights’ groups continue to delegitimise women's rights and deny the existence of gender inequality. Despite these challenges, pro-feminist men's organisations are employing strategies to enhance relationships with women's rights networks, and ensure their efforts retain feminist at the core. The importance of self-reflexivity and listening for pro-feminist men to operate in feminist spaces will be stressed, as well as to build broader coalitions and create additional resources for gender equality work.