Engaging men and boys

Achieving gender equality is everyone’s responsibility. Engaging men and boys is an important part of preventing gender-based violence (GBV) and addressing the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to inequalities. By supporting men and boys to model respect, challenge harmful stereotypes, and build healthy relationships, we can help create safer families, workplaces, and communities.

Why this matters

Harmful expectations of masculinity are negatively impacting men. When men and boys are told there is only one way to “be a man” it creates unrealistic expectations, real pressures, and frustrations.

Men account for nearly 75% of all deaths by suicide in Canada^{Footnote 1}
In 2024, about 24% of men in Canada aged between 18 and 34 reported heavy drinking^{Footnote 2}
Men also experience forms of gender-based violence. They represent about 20% of all cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) reported to police in Canada (23,146 men in 2019)^{Footnote 3}
When the genders of sextortion victims were known, 83% of victims were male^{Footnote 4}

Gender-based violence often begins at a young age, making it essential to engage boys early and encourage positive role models. Prevention starts early. Although most perpetrators are men, men and boys can play a vital role in reshaping gender norms, preventing violence before it starts. Statistics show that when unhealthy relationships start at a young age, these can leave lasting negative outcomes on a person later in life, which increases the risk of someone being a victim or perpetrator. Federal initiatives focused on gender-based violence prevention, awareness and support, such as It’s Not Just and Canada’s Men and Boys’ Health Strategy, help to educate and create meaningful conversations among men, boys and young people on these challenges and how to address them.

More than 4 in 10 (45%) teens aged 15 to 17 experience dating violence since age 15. According to self-reported data collected in 2018, emotional abuse is the most common form of violence, followed by physical violence and sexual violence^{Footnote 5}
The experience of IPV as a teen has been linked to negative outcomes in later life, including an increased risk of experiencing IPV again in adulthood^{Footnote 6}
According to data from police-reported incidents of IPV in 2024, about 79% of the persons accused of IPV were
men^{Footnote 7}

What Women and Gender Equality Canada is doing

Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) is investing in programs, research, and partnerships that equip men and boys to be part of the solution. Through collaboration with provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, community organizations, and researchers, these efforts are driving meaningful, lasting change and advancing equality across Canada.

The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence sets a framework for anyone facing GBV to have reliable and timely access to protection and services, no matter where they live. WAGE worked with each province and territory to put in place bilateral agreements supporting the implementation of the National Action Plan. These agreements are flexible, allowing jurisdictions to address their respective priorities, needs and challenges. The National Action Plan recognizes the role of men and boys as allies in preventing and addressing gender-based violence.

WAGE funds organizations through the Gender-Based Violence Program, supporting efforts to prevent and address gender-based violence across Canada. The program helps close gaps in supports and services for populations most affected by gender-based violence, works to end violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, and funds initiatives that help prevent violence among populations at greater risk.

From November 2015 to October 2025, WAGE provided over $35 million in funding for more than 70 projects that advance work to engage men and boys. Of that funding, over $30 million has been directed toward GBV-related projects. Since 2018, WAGE’s Research team has also invested nearly $300,000 in research specifically on engaging men and boys in GBV prevention and advancing gender equality.

Spotlight on initiatives funded by the Gender-Based Violence Program

Through its Cyberheroes – Preventing Gender-Based Cyberviolence project, Les 3 sex* developed programming for young men vulnerable to online radicalization and misogynistic content. The project created campaigns featuring positive masculinity role models through videos and storytelling, while strengthening efforts to prevent cyberviolence before it occurs. By promoting healthy attitudes and respectful behaviours, the initiative is helping equip young men with the tools to build safer, more respectful relationships both online and offline.

Through its GBV Prevention Training for Workplaces project, Interval House of Hamilton delivered gender-based violence prevention training in 56 skilled trades workplaces, reaching 970 participants across Ontario. As a result, 95% of participants reported increased knowledge of gender-based violence prevention and 92% felt better equipped to support someone experiencing workplace violence or harassment. The project also developed bilingual training materials, Train-the-Trainer resources, and public awareness campaigns, helping to create safer, more respectful workplaces and support women’s participation and success in the skilled trades.

Free awareness tools

It’s Not Just is a national campaign that empowers youth ages 14 to 24 to call out and help end the behaviours and attitudes contributing to gender-based violence.

Step-by-step conversation guides to support adults in starting and continuing difficult conversations about GBV with young people
Series of interactive workbooks that cover key topics related to GBV
Engaging and informational videos on bystander intervention and sexual consent
Poster on bystander intervention for men and boys

A Better World is an interactive storytelling activity for youth ages 7 to 12, designed to spark teamwork, creativity, and big conversations about inclusion, fairness, and gender equality.

Equality in Action

Read more about initiatives supporting men and boys to prevent and end gender-based violence.

Other examples of federal action on engaging men and boys

Transforming sport in Canada: time for action (Canadian Heritage – Sport Canada, Coaching Association of Canada)
Canada’s Men and Boys’ Health Strategy
Online Child Sexual Exploitation
Global Affairs Canada Implementation Plan for Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security – 2023 to 2029

Language selection

Search