Recast 'being a man,' group urges

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Violence against women in developing countries can best be addressed by working with men to "recast" what it means "to be a man," a U.S. advocacy group says.

The International Center for Research on Women issued a statement Thursday to coincide with the reintroduction of the International Violence Against Women's Act in Congress.

"There is growing evidence about the effectiveness of programs that recast the idea of what it means to 'be a man' as involved caretakers and partners rather than violent and domineering," said center spokesman Gary Barker. "Programs that work with adolescent boys as well as men have proven that changing cultural norms can and does reduce violent behavior, especially towards women."

One woman out of every three in the developing world will face abuse in her life, the organization said.

Center President Geeta Rao Gupta applauded the reintroduction of the act.

"This is a transformative time given the administration's focus on women and girls and legislation like (the act) is critical to reducing violence around the world."