Increasing acts of violence against women from around the world have led many to ask, "Where are the men? What can be done to bring an end to the atrocities committed against women and girls?" Bina Shah, a columnist for Development and Aid World News Service believes that "a crisis of masculinity needs to be addressed in order to see a reduction in sexual violence against women."

In her latest Op-Ed, Shah calls for an honest look at the true origin of male-perpetrated violence — the skewed concept of masculinity in patriarchal societies, which operates in both war and peace. She also highlights organizations that are working to reduce sexual violence by changing the attitudes of men and boys.

In Bosnia, the "Young Men Initiative" has successfully changed attitudes by teaching boys and young men through workshops and sports that a "real man" does not have to dominate women or use violence to prove his masculinity. Similarly, the Rwanda Men's Resource Center works to "engage men" in the support of women's leadership and rights.