From Ally to Active: Bringing Men to the Table for Reproductive
Reproductive justice is a movement that seeks to ensure that all individuals have the right to make autonomous decisions about their reproductive health, without any form of coercion, discrimination, or violence. The movement is inclusive and intersectional, recognizing that reproductive rights are tied to broader issues of social justice, such as racial and economic inequality.
While reproductive justice has traditionally been associated with women, men have an important role to play as allies in the movement. Men can use their privilege to support the reproductive rights of women and marginalized communities. Further, they can help to create safe and inclusive spaces for everyone. In this article, we will explore male allyship in reproductive justice, drawing on insights from a recent dinner held on April 26, 2023.
The Importance of Personal Relationships
One of the key takeaways from the April dinner was the importance of personal relationships in bringing men into the reproductive justice movement. Often, men are isolated and disconnected from the movement, and may not know how to get involved. By building strong, supportive ties with other activists (i.e. their partners), men can feel more invested in reproductive justice and can become powerful allies. For both Daniel, Andy, and David at the dinner, their relationships with Becca, Amy, and Avary led them to directing their professional talents towards www.ineedanabortion.com, www.plancpills.org, and www.springusa.is.
The dinner served as a space for men who have been active supporters of Reproductive Rights, Access, and Justice to come together to explore male allyship. Attendees shared their experiences and insights, and discussed practical ways to support the movement. By fostering a sense of community and solidarity, the dinner helped strengthen a sense of community.
This has been tried before. The Male Involvement movement
Stuart—one of the participants—shared some important historical context on the “Male Involvement” movement. This movement started before the “World Conference on Women” in Beijing in 1995 and reached its peak in the early 2000s. While 34,000 women gathered in Beijing, there were 1,600 men at the Conference who were also actively working to support the efforts of women. Reports like “Partnering: A New Approach to Sexual and Reproductive Health” were published in the 2000s.
This particular piece notes how “Men’s participation is crucial to the success of reproductive health and family planning programs, especially in cultures where men hold the power and make the decisions.”
Before trying to start from scratch there can be real learning from those who were involved in this movement and who may understand why it lost momentum.
Effective Framing for Male Allies
The group at the April dinner also discussed effective framing for male allies. Men4Choice shared in a webinar some of their learnings from recent campaigns in Georgia and Florida. Framing the movement as a way to have control over your family choices—rather than just as allyship or as a benefit to men—can be more effective in engaging male allies. Men are often socialized to prioritize their own interests, and may be more likely to get involved if they see the movement as directly affecting their own lives.
STEP 1: Download this Starter-Kit from Men4Choice to learn more about reproductive freedom and actions you can take to go from ally to activist.
By framing reproductive justice as a way to have control over their own family choices, men can become more invested in the movement and can help to bring other men on board as well.
Understanding Privilege
Another important factor in male allyship is understanding privilege and using it to support the movement. Men often have greater social, economic, and political power than women, and can use this power to advance reproductive justice. Attendees of the dinner discussed practical ways to support the movement—but at the root, it starts with humility and asking longstanding RJ leaders/organizations what support they need.
When newcomers to the space show up with their own ideas that are not rooted in the historic context, impacted communities, and organizers who have dedicated decades of their lives to this movement—then yeah— they aren’t as welcome. And male fear of “mansplaning about reproductive health” is grounded in real lived experiences.
Step 2: Connect with a local RJ focused organization (an abortion fund, clinic, advocacy organization) and ask “what support do you need?”
Ideas may include: contributing financial support, serving as guardians for clinics, sharing information, or leveraging political power. When men start the conversation from a place of curiosity and a desire to provide support, meaningful action can follow.
It's crucial for men to recognize that reproductive rights are not just women's issues, but are tied to broader issues of social justice. By supporting the reproductive rights of women and marginalized communities, men can help to create a more just and equitable society for all.
The Importance of Building Relationships First
At the heart of any successful movement is a network of both strong and weak relationships. As David shared at the dinner, “when we can center meaningful relationships between people, then it is makes it easier for them to prioritize actions & engagements to advance that movement.” Ultimately male isolation is at the root one of the core drivers of many of the challenges we face including threats to reproductive freedom.
Gatherings like dinners, RJ org events, and political activism parties can be a more accessible way to welcome in men to the conversation. Avary also raised the point that there can be value in supporting divergent conversations that are spaces for men to come together and speak with each other in addition to gender inclusive conversations where all folks can discuss ways to support the movement.
STEP 3: Just get together. Even if it’s a small group there is real power in coming together. You can discuss the insights gained from listening to a podcast series like Operation Save Abortion from Abortion Access Front.
Ultimately to build stronger relationships folks need:
Recurring interactions—it doesn’t work if you just see someone once.
Alignment on values—whether you care about the same social justice issue or root for the same sports team—having a shared identity is a key ingredient.
Follow through on promises—making small achievable promises to follow up and support one another is the key to successfully building stronger relationships.
Till next time
The April dinner demonstrated the potential for male allies to be contributors to the reproductive justice movement. By continuing to convene and support each other, male allies can use their privilege to make a meaningful impact in the fight for reproductive rights. By building strong, supportive ties with other activists, understanding privilege, using effective framing, and building relationships, male allies can help to create a more just and equitable society for all.
While there is still much work to be done to ensure reproductive justice for all, the participation of men in the movement is a crucial step forward. By working together and supporting each other, we can create a world where everyone has the right to make autonomous decisions about their reproductive health—without any form of coercion, discrimination, or violence.
Coming up in May we are hosting a conversation with funders about Coordinating Capital for Reproductive Justice with ABC Fund, Rhia Ventures, and Toniic.
And celebrate Juneteenth with Sabia Wade as we discuss her new book birthing liberation.
You can email me at avary@spring.is if you would like to learn more about upcoming events in the SF Bay Area.