Men enjoy power, privilege and status at the expense of women, a fact that contributes to persistent and widespread gender based violence.

These are the words of Australian trainer on masculinities at the Chisholm Institute Melbourne, Stephen Fisher at the 5th Pacific Regional Meeting on Violence Against Women which ended last night.

Fisher said the concept of masculinities was a major factor that reinforced male behavior normalising demeaning and violent treatment of women adding that as protectors men feel it is their job to protect women and children, a concept closely linked with the control of women.

However, Fisher criticises certain approaches to addressing violence against women that attempted to tackle the issue without addressing the underlying power and control attitudes of men.

Fisher said conflict resolution, mediation and counselling approaches all leave power unchallenged and benefit men.

60 participants from 12 Pacific Island countries attended the meet.