Deconstructing Toxic Masculinity: What Is Your Role?

While gender identity is a deeply held feeling of being male, female or another gender, people of different genders often act differently, not because of biological characteristics but because of rigid societal norms created around femininity and masculinity.

Masculinity becomes toxic when specific standards of behavior are encouraged and enforced despite being damaging. Dominance, violence, unchecked sexual aggression, self-reliance to the point of absurdity and the devaluation of anything seen as being “feminine” are all points where masculinity goes from being positive to toxic. It’s the mandating of the limited scope of what men are allowed to be, if they’re to be considered “real men”. Identifying as male isn’t enough to be a man. If you don’t perform these specific actions, or model these behaviors, you’re not a “real man.” …or as Kenyans would say; “Wacha Umana”

Watch the discussion live on Facebook and Twitter on Tuesday, 24th of April 2018 starting 4 p.m. 

Twitter: @HBSNairobi        #genderforum     Facebook: 

Discussion Panel:

The discussion panel comprises of:

• Fredrick Nyagah- MENKEN
• Mariga W. Thoithi- Communication expert
• Stephen Machua- Change Mind Change Future
• Aisha Ali - Feminist / Activist
• Dr. Wandia Njoya, Senior Lecturer, Daystar University and Blogger
• Kennedy Otina - FEMNET

Moderated by: Yvonne Okwara-Matole KTN Presenter

About the Gender Forum: The Gender Forum is a monthly public dialogue convened by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung since 2001, encouraging dialogue on pertinent national issues with a gendered lens. It brings together scholars, law makers and implementers, civil activists, government institutions, students and the general public, aiming at sharing knowledge and inspiring gendered analysis of policy and programmes.