| dc.description.abstract | This research aimed to identify and analyse the ways in which UNHCR policies and documents aiming at addressing and preventing Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) against refugees, portrays men and the notion(s) of masculinity(ies) within them. The theoretical and conceptual foundations of "gender" were problematized using studies on men and masculinities that engage with feminist productions and were structured based on the work of Joan Scott supported by several Brazilian authors. From the examination of various documents, it encapsulates the main UNHCR’s principles, guidelines, and concepts related to policy initiatives in this area. For methodology, it was employed a qualitative approach of Content Analysis, fundamentally guided by the contributions of Laurence Bardin, focusing on public domain documents.
The analysis of the material was conducted with the construction of two frameworks named "historical trajectory" and "map of ideas," aiming to identify the context of the formulation of the Policy through documents, events, and interlocutors referenced by the UNHCR Policy on Combating Violence text, and the primary meanings attributed to the terms "gender," "man(or men)," "masculinity(ies)/masculine," "woman(or women)," and "feminility(ies)/feminine." In general, the contents of the analysed document indicate (at least at the formulation level) a quantitative and qualitative leap in the last ten years concerning UNHCR policies addressing violence against women and a favourable context at the time of them. Many of these advancements are due to influences external to the UNHCR, stemming from international organizations and the pressure of global feminist and women's movements.
Although alignments can be detected, including with respect to the theoretical and conceptual foundations of "gender," the analyses revealed that men can still be placed in the role of aggressors. Moreover, it also identifies them as possible victims and allies in combating SGBV.
Masculinity, in turn, is viewed as a representation of men's domination over women and is presented as something that must be fundamentally understood to make the fight SGBV in the context of refugee populations more efficient.
Keywords: Gender, Sexual Gender Based Violence, UNHCR, refugees | |