Male Allyship Workshops and Certificate | Engineering Wellness Program

By age 18, 1 in 3 women will have experienced some form of sexual harassment or assault. Female students (and employees) in STEM programs experience significantly higher rates of sexism, discrimination, exclusion, and sexual harassment than women in non-STEM disciplines.

According to the Statistics Canada 2019 survey, 71% of students at Canadian postsecondary schools witnessed or experienced unwanted sexualized behaviours in a postsecondary setting—either on campus, or in an off-campus situation that involved students or other people associated with the school. Most of those who had experienced these unwanted behaviours stated that the perpetrators were fellow students. Relatively few students said that the perpetrators were professors and others in positions of authority.

Most of those who witnessed these events, said they did not respond because they felt uncomfortable (48%), feared negative consequences (28%), or feared for their safety (18%). To ensure everyone has a safe environment in which to learn, it is helpful to have the knowledge, understanding, and skills to respond effectively to these situations. Male identifying individuals play an important role in addressing these concerns.

As society learns more about the causes, both direct causes such as breaking consent, and indirect causes like systems that benefit men and blame victims/survivors for what happened to them, it’s important to learn about these causes and how you can contribute to preventing them. It’s not just to show the people around you that you want them to lead a life free of gender-based violence and the many barriers it creates, but it also shows future employers that you’ve invested in equity work – one more way to set your resume apart of the rest of the crowd. Please note: This certificate is available to male identifying participants only.

Join Chris Martin (he/him) to unpack masculinity versus toxic masculinity, what privilege is, and how to show up as allies to women and other marginalized membership groups such as Black, Indigenous and Racialized women or the 2SLGBTQ+ community in these interactive workshops. A better world is happening right now and you can be a part of the long-term change by becoming a Male Ally in your own life.

Education is Key

The negative influences of sexism, misogyny, and gender-based (GBV) violence on society are extensive and impact every member of society. GBV is a complex problem that intersects with many other issues and situations, such as poverty, ethnicity, and sexuality. Each one of us has a role to play in creating a more equitable and supportive society. For more information on GBV, see the websites below.

What is Gender-Based Violence (Government of Canada)
How Gender-Based Violence Impacts Mental Health (Canadian Women's Foundation)
Facts about Gender-Based Violence (Canadian Women's Foundation)
University of Waterloo, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO)

What is gender-based violence (GBV)?

Gender-based violence refers to the many types of harm inflicted on an individual because of their gender. It can take physical or emotional forms that includes sexist jokes, name-calling, exclusion, control or manipulation, pushing, blocking, stalking, harassment, and all forms of assault.
GBV is especially problematic in STEM fields. Female students and employees in post-secondary STEM programs experience 50% more GBV than women in non-STEM programs, including 3.8 times more rape attempts.
In 2016, the Public Health Agency of Canada declared GBV a public health concern, noting the the impact of GBV goes beyond the immediate injury to include long-term impacts on the individual, families, and society.

Sessions for Students (UG and Grad)

Winter 2024 Term

Locations and online session links will be emailed 48 hours prior to the event.

The Man Box: Wednesday, January 31st - 5:00 - 6:00 PM -
The Continuum of Harm: Thursday, February 8th - 5:00 - 6:00 PM

Sessions for Employees & Post-Docs

Winter 2024 Term

Locations and online session links will be emailed 48 hours prior to the event.

The Man Box: Thursday, February 1st - 3:00 - 4:00 PM - (In-Person)
The Continuum of Harm in the Workplace: Friday, February 9th - 3:00 - 4:00 PM (In-Person)

Overview of Workshops

The Man Box

This workshop is often taken first, however it can be completed at any point as an individual session or as part of the certificate.

In this session we will unpack what society thinks men should be and try and reconcile those standards with what feels good for us as men.

Man vs. World

This workshop is often taken second, however it can be completed at any point as an individual session or as part of the certificate.

In this session we will explore the social location of men in society and how has that impacted our society, the way we grow and move within community, and the way we show up (or don’t show up) for those who need us, such as marginalized groups or those with less power.

Students

Healthy Relationships & The Bro Code

This workshop is often taken third, however it can be completed at any point as an individual session or as part of the certificate.

In this session we will discuss what true consent means, signs of a healthy vs. unhealthy relationship, and why the ‘Bro Code’, an unspoken playbook men are expected to learn through adolescence, is inherently problematic.

The Continuum of Harm (Students)

This workshop is often taken fourth, however it can be completed at any point as an individual session or as part of the certificate.

This engaging and interactive game allows us to display the way society views gender-based violence and how as men we can learn to accept and empathize with other people’s experiences. This activity always generates a lot of really great conversations

Employees/Post Docs

Microagressions, Unconscious Bias, and Bystander Intervention

This workshop is often taken third, however it can be completed at any point as in individual session or as part of the certificate.

In this session we will discuss what microaggressions are, how to recognize, respond, and disrupt them, and how to effectively intervene in a problematic situation.

The Continuum of Harm in The Workplace

This workshop is often taken fourth, however it can be completed at any point as in individual session or as part of the certificate.

Join us for an engaging and interactive session as we unpack the many layers of harm in our workplaces. We will also explore how a workplace's response to trauma can either prevent or cause deeper problems.

Certificate Requirements:

Workshops can be taken individually or as part of the Male Allyship Certificate from the University of Waterloo Sexual Violence Prevention and Response office. To receive the Male Allyship Certificate complete all four workshops. Workshops can be taken in any order and the certificate can be completed over two years. This certificate is available to male identifying participants only.

Special notes:

Multiple workshops will be offered every term
All workshops will be offered multiple times a year, but not all workshops are offered every term
A Certificate of Completion will be provided upon completion of all 4 workshops
Maximum of 30 participants

What You Will Learn

Workshops can be taken individually in any order, or as part of a certificate. Those who complete all 4 sessions will be able to:

Recognize characterizes of effective male allyship,
Practice male allyship and engage in alternative narratives of masculinity,
Recognize the complex roots of gender-based and sexual violence,
Identify and address privilege, gender stereotypes, biases, and existing systems of inequity, &
Understand their unique and important role in shaping a safe and healthy campus community.

Please note: Snacks will be provided, please feel free to bring your refillable waterbottle, coffee/tea/etc. This certificate is available to male identifying participants only.

Facilitator

Chris Martin (he/him)

Chris Martin has a background working as a support worker, a workplace anti-sexual violence trainer, and as a public speaker where he shares his own personal story of overcoming adversity to inspire hope in others who come from difficult upbringings. He is the CEE Workplace Sexual Violence Education Coordinator and has a passion for creating equitable learning spaces where all are welcome to learn and share.

For more information, please contact the Community Wellness Team.

If you have experienced sexism, harassment, or gender-related discrimination, there is support for you. Please consider contacting the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) for support and resources. All inquires are confidential and coming to SVPRO does not automatically initiate an investigation; however, if you wish to pursue a formal complaint, they can support you through the process.