WE-Talk: Promoting Positive Masculinity and Preventing Gender-Based Violence
The WE-Talk Project seeks to reduce gender-based violence (GBV) in Jamaica by addressing the harmful social norms that affect women, girls, boys, and other vulnerable groups. Partnering with WMW Jamaica, the project engages men and adolescent boys as key partners in building a more equitable and peaceful society.
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Project Outcomes
The WE-Talk Project aims to:
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Increase awareness among men and adolescent boys about harmful norms, myths, and practices that contribute to GBV.
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Strengthen the role of male influencers and youth leaders in promoting respect, equality, and positive gender norms.
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Build the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to design and implement effective GBV prevention initiatives.
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Our Approach
Using a gender-transformative framework, WE-Talk facilitates workshops and interactive engagements that promote positive masculinity and support healthier ways of relating to self and others.
Through these interventions, participants will:
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Recognize and reflect on beliefs and assumptions about gender.
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Develop a deeper understanding of connection, empathy, emotional expression, and authenticity.
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Explore and embrace alternative models of masculinity that support respect and non-violence.
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Strengthen community awareness of how harmful norms contribute to GBV.
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Contribute to community-level change that supports gender equality.
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Join the Movement
We invite partners, community groups, leaders, and concerned citizens to collaborate with us. Encourage men and boys in your networks to take part in meaningful dialogue and action that challenges violence and promotes respect.
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Together, we can:
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Strengthen accountability,
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Promote healthier relationships, and
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Build a Jamaica where everyone can live free from violence and fear.
Let’s work together for a safe, equal, and empowered Jamaica.
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Big Man Ting: Redefining Masculinity
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Big Man Ting is a Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) initiative designed to reduce gender-based violence (GBV) in Jamaica by engaging boys and men in meaningful dialogue, reflection, and skill-building. The campaign supports males in exploring healthy, respectful, and emotionally grounded expressions of masculinity - strengthening relationships, wellbeing, and community safety.
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Why Focus on Males?
Men and boys have a powerful influence on the cultural norms that shape relationships and community life. While women and girls are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence, boys and men are often raised within social expectations that discourage emotional expression and encourage dominance, toughness, and silence.
During adolescence and young adulthood, many males experience:
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Intense peer pressure and desire for belonging
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Confusion about identity and self-worth
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Strong emotional impulses without guidance on how to manage them
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Conflicting messages about what it means to “be a man”
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Increased risk-taking and pressure to prove themselves
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Without positive support, these pressures can manifest as violence, withdrawal, or harmful coping behaviours. Big Man Ting helps boys and men build healthier, more authentic models of masculinity - based on respect, empathy, emotional awareness and responsibility.
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Our Approach
Big Man Ting uses a gender-transformative and positive masculinity framework to encourage connection, empathy, motivation, and authenticity. The programme is grounded in evidence-based research and shaped for the Jamaican cultural experience.
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Facilitator & Curriculum Design
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Structured manuals and session guides are developed using global and local best practices in psychology, gender studies, adolescent development and violence prevention.
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Workshops are delivered by trained male facilitators who create safe, relatable, and supportive spaces for dialogue.
Where We Work
The programme is delivered across multiple environments to ensure continuous and relevant impact, including:
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In-School Groups (Secondary schools)
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Out-of-School Youth and Community Clubs
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Faith-Based Youth Ministries and Church Men’s Groups
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Sports Teams and Athletic Programmes
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Youth Influencers and Community Leaders
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Civil Society and Community-Based Organisations
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This multi-setting approach ensures the lessons move beyond workshops into real-life behaviour and community practice.
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What Participants Learn
Through interactive sessions, storytelling, peer discussions and guided reflection, participants:
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Identify and unpack harmful gender norms
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Strengthen emotional expression and coping skills
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Explore respectful relationship dynamics
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Practice positive conflict resolution
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Build self-awareness, empathy, and confidence
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Imagine and embrace healthier, non-violent models of manhood
Ultimately, boys and men are supported to lead change in their homes, peer groups, and communities.