This was the closing thought by a women's rights activist in response to a final interview
question about recommendations on future directions for the work of the MASVAW (Men's
Action to Stop Violence Against Women) campaign in Uttar Pradesh. Her statement is
reflective of how something important has been catalysed through a growing group of men
who have, since 2002, built an engagement for responding to gender-based violence (GBV)
across parts of Uttar Pradesh and beyond.

Uttar Pradesh is ranked second among Indian states in ‘ crimes against women’,
which includes rape, abduction, dowry-related deaths, mental and physical torture and
sexual harassment (Government of Uttar Pradesh 2006: 130). The majority of such crimes
against women are committed by family members, but this gendered violence and inequality
also permeates the broader economy, systems and structures that govern everyday life.
During the past 10–15 years, the issue of gender equality has been raised by civil society …