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The 5-in-6 program in South Africa raises awareness of the widespread problem of domestic violence through a nomination campaign for male role models. Maisel developed an Everyday Hero campaign to find men who do not commit abuse and involve them in the struggle against domestic violence. By recognizing and honoring local male role models, Charles Maisel taught groups of ordinary men to talk about domestic violence and to see that it is an underlying part of the other problems their communities were facing. Approaching local problems in this new way redefines “community” to emphasize interconnectedness during the struggle for justice on any issue. This work empowers community members to create their own peace, and to be responsible for themselves and for each other.

Transitioning from apartheid has created many new problems for the people of South Africa. Violence is constant, and the rate of violence against women is the highest in the world for any country not at war. Research shows that one man in six abuses the women in his life. At the same time, jobs are scarce and most women are dependent on men for their financial needs. Fear of being alone or having no support often traps women in abusive relationships. South Africa has a long history of institutionalized violence, so it was clear that for the trust and interconnectedness needed to unite a community, any solution to these problems would have to come from the people.

Charles Maisel believes that changing the attitudes and behaviors of men toward violence will move them from apathy to involvement, and create communal responsibility. He looks at that one-in-six number and thinks about the power of the other five. His goal is to get the men who do not commit abuse to vigorously oppose domestic violence and support women in their fight for gender equality. Maisel developed an Everyday Hero campaign to find these men and involve them in the struggle. Volunteers went house-to-house to ask women for information about the good, positive men who lived there. Many people also mailed in nominations, for a total of 50,000 responses identifying the “best” fathers, uncles, brothers, grandfathers and male friends in the country. The names and recommendation forms decorated local churches, spreading awareness of the campaign and increasing its popularity.

Volunteers from this list of names came to meetings discussing “community problems.” Maisel feels that more men are likely to respond to this sort of invitation than one referring to “domestic violence.” The meetings focused these nonviolent men on collectively solving the problem of violence against women in their homes and communities. They were encouraged to take responsibility for acting against and preventing violence in their communities. Rather than preaching solutions, the discussion brought forth the men’s questions and answers regarding domestic violence in their lives. Together, they found their own creative, nonviolent approaches to the challenges their community faces. For many, it was the first time they had ever spoken out on these issues, and the result was powerful.

Men realized that talking about domestic violence was not embarrassing or awkward, and they began to see it as a part of the foundation on which the overall community insecurity was built. The discussion involved men of a variety of ages, experiences, social classes and financial statuses. Additional workshops helped men understand the power relations between genders, build self-esteem and find positive ways to deal with difficult domestic situations. Among men, the movement created a new culture that was disgusted by and did not tolerate abuse. It taught men to clarify their beliefs about domestic violence, and enabled them to recognize others with similar thoughts. Many of the participants have noticed dramatic changes in their level of consciousness about domestic violence, and an ability to engage other men on the issue. Numerous organizations have invited Maisel to hold workshops on “community problems” with their workers. Three countries have already copied the program and many of the original nomination letters are being used to form a book.

Completed January 1, 2003.