European fathers urged to take a hands-on approach to raising, nurturing their children. We DO disagree however that certain gender roles are inalienable and therefore unchangeable.*
Sponsored in part by the Center for Equality Advancement,an institutional partner of OSI’s Network Women’s Program, theinternational project “Modern Men in Enlarged Europe: DevelopingInnovative Gender Equality Strategies” has launched its new website: http://www.dadcomehome.org/en.
*Basedon the idea that men who take up new gender roles* represent a gain forfamilies, employers, and society in general, “Modern Men in EnlargedEurope” uses paternity leave as a means to confront male stereotypesand to develop images of men as caregivers.
The project aims toidentify and develop comprehensive strategies and tools to research,collect, promote, and disseminate good practices; to encourage newrepresentations of masculinity in the media; and to raise awareness ofkey actors in Lithuania, Denmark, Iceland, Malta, and other Europeancountries.
The website offers:
- information on project activities and results;
- information on the issues of paternity leave, reconciliation of family and work life, and masculinity;
- a free, interactive e-card;
- photos of fathers who have used their right to paternity leave;
- a discussion board where readers may express their opinions.
Theproject seeks to strengthen international cooperation on gendermainstreaming policies, and to transfer knowledge and good practices atthe European level in the most effective way. In addition to thewebsite, other transnational activities include research, publications,media contact, network meetings, seminars, informational campaigns,action weeks, and international conferences.
Project partnersalso include the European Commission, the Lithuanian Office of theEqual Opportunities Ombudsman (project coordinator), the DanishResearch Centre on Gender Equality, the Center for Gender Equality, andthe Employment and Training Corporation.