Mr. Colm Kelly:

First and foremost, we need to be clear and say the root cause of gender-based violence and violence against women and girls is gender norms, inclusive of patriarchy, attitudes, norms and behaviours. It is primarily violence against women and it is primarily perpetrated by men. That is our starting point. One thing that we have placed in our submission to the committee for consideration relates to taking gender-responsive and gender-inclusive approaches when it comes to this work. If we want to address the root cause, we have to go to the source. We cannot put plasters on things anymore. It is not good for the climate or for the environment. We need to go to the root cause, which is unfortunately, too often, men's attitudes and perceptions of what is acceptable behaviour. I agree with the Deputy about that.

In our submission, we have recommended looking at head 14(1)(e)(i) of the general scheme. As it stands, this needs to reflect, at legislation level, the need to engage with men and boys. This needs to be within the remit of the agency and needs to be specified. This is in accordance with the Istanbul Convention and with our national strategy. We know ourselves that when an agency is established and set up, the terms of reference for the wonderful people who go in with good hearts and good spirits are the legislation. Specific reference to engaging men and boys under the prevention pillar needs to be included, named and stated. As our friends and colleagues said, we cannot have another strategy where nothing changes. We have to go and we have to engage with men and boys. That needs to be named.

This aligns with goals 1.1.1, 1.1.6 and 1.1.8 of the implementation plan of the zero-tolerance third national strategy, namely, that engaging with men and boys is at the heart of prevention. We need to engage with everyone of all gender identities, but there has to be a specific focus and approach in respect of men and boys in accordance with best national and international practice.

I would point towards chapter 3 of the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe on prevention. The article on general obligations notes that state parties are required "to encourage all members of society, especially men and boys, to contribute actively to preventing all forms of violence". The absence of specific reference to men and boys runs the risk of the agency failing to effect change or address the root cause of the issue. Furthermore, recommendation No. 35 of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW, on gender-based violence against women notes that states' preventative work must address the underlying causes of gender-based violence, including patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes and gender-related factors such as men's entitlement, privilege and social norms regarding masculinity.

In short, the answer is "Yes". We need to include in this head of the Bill engaging men and boys on prevention. We believe that this is what needs to take place to make a zero-tolerance approach happen.