Profeminism describes men’s solidarity and support for feminist struggles and issues. Just as there are various feminisms so there are various forms of profeminism. However, amongst all the different viewpoints, profeminists share a conviction to listen to and learn from feminism and women, and to rethink and deconstruct male gender as the dominant and hegemonic gender. This involves actively changing both ourselves and other men – personally, politically, at home, at work, in the media, through campaigns, in law, and so on. Examples of men’s actions and power that need changing include men’s violence, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, sexism and patriarchal dominance more generally.

Profeminist organising can include campaigns, demonstrations, posters, flyers, writing letters, articles and pamphlets, producing T-shirts, postcards etc., as well as more personally orientated activities, including consciousness-raising groups.

Profeminism wants to achieve gender equality, but it also wants to go further. We believe that gender inequality runs deeper than the surface of what many people perceive as equality, and is more structurally embedded in gender systems. We want to support feminism and women’s groups in their struggles for an equal society, and we want to look at ourselves, and redefine and reduce our and other men’s position of power in society.

Profeminism is not against men. We believe profeminism can help men to live more fulfilling lives. However, we also believe that men shouldn’t look for excuses when confronted with gender issues. Even if some men might suffer in some respects under male dominance, they also benefit from the fruits of hegemonic masculinity. Profeminism asks for a consciousness of one’s own position as a man and towards the men around us. This can be very painful.

There is no such thing as an organised profeminist movement. Rather, profeminism is a plural movement or set of networks. Since this is a movement of men, we have to be especially careful not to re-establish hierarchies and totalitarianism.

Profeminism supports struggles against other discriminations and oppression. It is anti-racist, anti-heterosexist, and against discrimination and oppression of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenderists.

If you can support these aims of profeminism, then why not join Profeministimiehet (PFM) as a registered member and make a difference? You may apply for membership here. Your application will be processed manually and may take some time.

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