New films on alcohol and masculinity

In most cultures around the world alcohol use has strong gender dimensions. Men are normally the heavy consumers, often inflicting severe harm on both themselves and on others, in particular their closest family. Being able to “drink with both hands” is a sign of masculinity in many cultures. In such settings alcohol consumption symbolizes strength, virility, courage, sophistication, attractivity etc.

Sonke Gender Justice is a South African civil society organisation working in the fields of hiv/aids prevention, gender equality and human rights. Sonke has several programs where harmful aspects of masculinity are challenged. Questioning prevailing drinking norms is a part of some of these programs, among others the One Man Can Campaign.

Sonke has now produced three short documentaries chronicling the lives of three of their peer educators, King, Marvel and Orphen. These three men are working with One Man Can community mobilisation in Bushbuckridge, South Africa. Two of the stories deal very directly with the impact of alcohol on violence, HIV and children's rights.

Each of the films is only five minutes long and absolutely worth watching. They can also serve as good tools in programs aiming at raising discussion around masculinity and alcohol. The films can be accessed here.