National Women in Transport has partnered with Equimundo, a U.S-based non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Equimundo promotes gender equality by engaging men as partners alongside women, and we are proud to feature them in our September spotlight.
When we talk about gender equality, the focus is often rightly on advancing opportunities for women. But there’s another essential part of the story: Men and boys must also be engaged, supported, and invited to play a role in shaping more inclusive futures.
At Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice, our work is grounded in the belief that gender equality is not a zero-sum game. Men and boys also benefit from a world where rigid gender norms give way to care, connection, and fairness. Yet we know many men feel uncertain, even left out of the conversation. In rapidly changing times, with economic precarity, mental health challenges, and shifting expectations of what it means to “be a man,” it’s critical that we meet men where they are.
In a recent discussion with the Champions of Change Coalition, Equimundo’s Associate Director of Programs, Cody Ragonese spoke about how outdated ideas of masculinity – men narrowly described as only “providers and protectors” – are under real strain. When these roles no longer fit, some men turn inward, feeling stress, isolation, and disconnection. Others may be drawn toward harmful online influencers who feed a narrative of grievance and backlash. But there is another path: workplaces, communities, and leaders can offer and model healthier versions of manhood.
The evidence is clear. Men who hold more gender-equitable views have better mental health, stronger relationships, and are more engaged fathers. Workplaces that embed gender equality into their culture see higher productivity, team cohesion, and psychological safety. Policies like parental leave and mentorship programs with a gender lens not only support women’s advancement but also help men show up as equal caregivers and allies.
At Equimundo, we use global research and practical tools to show how norms are evolving and where common ground exists. What we find consistently is that when leaders “invite, not indict,” men are more willing to engage. By creating safe spaces for dialogue, acknowledging men’s real challenges, and emphasizing that equality benefits everyone, we can reframe gender equality as a collective win.
For industries like transport, where men make up the majority of the workforce, these lessons are especially vital. Supporting men through this change is not about diminishing women’s progress; it is about building workplaces where everyone can thrive. The way forward is clear: listen with empathy, learn from evidence, and lead with action.
Check out Equimundo resources at https://www.equimundo.org/programs/engaging-men-for-gender-equality-in-the-workplace/
