Understanding Masculinities: Results from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) – Palestine

The International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) in the MENA region has been designed and conducted to help fill the knowledge gap in research on men’s attitudes and practices in terms of their partner relationships and their perspectives on gender equality in four Arab States, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Palestine. IMAGES–Palestine is an integral part of the IMAGES MENA study that was conducted in coordination with a local partner – the Institute of Women’s Studies at Birzeit University. The findings of IMAGES-Palestine indicate that there is strong agreement among men and women that gender equality has not been achieved in Palestine. The study recommends that progressive Palestinian men who hold positive gender attitudes – including faith-based and community leaders – be encouraged to join the gender justice struggle in Palestine. This also emphasizes the importance of encouraging fathers to engage in child-rearing and caregiving roles as effective ways of changing behaviors of sons and daughters, as well as working with media to promote positive models of masculinities in Palestine and empowering youth as agents of change.