The UAB present «The Men we want to be», a dedicated space to work on masculinity at the university

25/10/2023

UAB takes a bold step towards a more egalitarian university with the launch of "The Men We Want to Be", the new support service aimed at men who wish to reconsider their approach to relationships from a non-sexist perspective. This space is offered through the CONEXUS Association for psychosocial support, training, and research. The official presentation of the project will take place on October 30th at 13:00 PM in the sala d’actes del rectorat (the boardroom of the rector's office). The presentation will feature the UAB rector, Dr. Javier Lafuente. 

During this academic year, this masculinity workspace offers training to the UAB community, individualized support, awareness-raising activities, and the facilitation of a group of men who wish to enhance their relationships with their surroundings and themselves. To carry out these activities, the CONEXUS Association is involved, comprising psychologists with extensive expertise and experience in working with men to build better emotional and family relationships and to eradicate gender-based violence. 

This service not only aims to improve family, friendships, and partner relationships but also to enhance of emotional well-being through self-awareness and the development of communication skills. For parents, it incorporates a gender perspective within parenthood and family caregiving. Moreover, this workspace aspires to transform the hostile atmosphere within male groups and certain highly masculinized spaces. 

Starting October 26, the CONEXUS Association will visit the faculties to introduce the masculinity workspace. In these two-hour interactive sessions, topics such as masculinity as a construct, masculinity and violence, and caregiving masculinities will be discussed. The workshop schedule is as follows: 

- Workshops for students: 

• October 26th  from 1:00PM to 3:00 PM at the School of Engineering 

• October 30th   from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM at the Faculty of Sciences 

• November 7th  from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities 

• November 14th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Faculty of Political Science and Sociology 

Registration form for students 

- Workshops for staff: 

• November 2nd from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Faculty of Communication Studies 

• November 9th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities 

• November 16th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Faculty of Political Science and Sociology 

Registration form for staff members 

The specified faculty is merely the location; students and staff from other centers, different from those mentioned, can access the workshops without restrictions. In the case of staff members, the Observatory for Equality will issue a certificate that will be recognized as a training activity. 

Once the workshops are completed, a group of men will be formed to work on various aspects of their masculinity with Oriol Ginés, a psychologist from CONEXUS. The meetings for this group will be held on November 21st and 28th and on December 5th, 12th, and 19th. The schedule is from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. 

Under the motto "The Men We Want to Be," the university commits to making this space visible, focusing on the transformation of gender relationships and the crucial role that men play in the fight against gender-based violence. In fact, this initiative addresses the concerns of various men who wish to transform their masculinity and have shared this with the Observatory for Equality. 

More information: Workshops for masculinity offered by the UAB