The role of men in gender equality: It’s not about shifting the spotlight - it’s about widening the lens
At The 100% Project, we are committed to one big idea: achieving 100% gender equality in leadership across Australia.
So when people ask us, “Why is your research focusing on men?”, we welcome the question.
Because it’s a fair one - and the answer matters.
For decades, gender equality efforts have (rightly) centred on women’s experiences. We’ve needed to name the barriers women face: bias, underrepresentation, inflexible systems, unequal pay. And we still do.
We will always continue to research and amplify the experiences of women. But right now, we’re putting deliberate energy into understanding men - not because men’s experiences matter more, but because they’re an essential part of the system we’re trying to change.
Expanding the lens, not shifting the focus
Focusing on men doesn’t mean we’re ignoring the inequities women face. It means we’re building a fuller picture of what’s holding inequality in place.
Our research explores how men think about gender equality, how they respond to policies like quotas or parental leave, and how they interpret their roles in the workplace and at home. For example, our work on psychological safety shows men are more likely to take parental leave or work flexibly when they feel culturally supported. This finding matters for women too, because when men take up parental leave, it creates space for women to return to work and lead. In The Invisible Man, we unpacked how narrow media portrayals of masculinity don’t just impact men’s wellbeing, they slow progress for everyone.
This research strengthens our ability to create systemic change. Because you can’t transform what you don’t understand.
The world is talking about men
We’re not just following data - we’re responding to a cultural moment. The focus on men and masculinity is already happening. It’s in TV shows like Adolescence, which explores the emotional complexity of teenage boys trying to live up to outdated masculine norms. It’s in Barbie, where Ken’s storyline sparked widespread discussion about men’s identity, self-worth, and how they’re shaped by gender roles.
It’s also in viral moments like The Pocket with Chris Griffin podcast, where the host suggested that he would prefer his partner not to work unless she wants to, emphasising a desire for "peace and love" at home to support his ambitions. The backlash was swift - but what it surfaced was more telling. Women are speaking up clearly about what they want from modern men. And they’re no longer tolerating narratives that limit their autonomy or reduce them to support roles.
These moments reflect something bigger: a widening gap in how men and women are experiencing - and responding to - issues of equality. We’re seeing it in voting patterns, in attitudes toward inclusion, and in the backlash against so-called ‘wokeness’.
This cultural shift is showing up everywhere - It’s in everyday conversations, workplaces and schools - where people are asking: What does it mean to be a man right now? And what does that mean for gender equality?
These conversations aren’t a distraction. They’re necessary. Many men want to do the right thing - but they’re unsure how, or afraid of ‘getting it wrong.’ Others are disengaged or defensive. We can ignore that - or we can work with it.
Equality needs everyone
Real gender equality isn’t about one group winning while another loses. It’s about building systems where people of all genders can lead, thrive, and contribute - free from outdated norms, assumptions, and barriers.
To do that, we need men in the room. Not as the centre of the story - but as part of the solution. That means understanding how men think and feel about gender, what stops them from changing, and what can help them step forward.
So yes, right now, we’re doing a fair bit of research about men. And we’ll keep doing it - alongside our work on women and leadership - because this moment demands it.
Because progress on gender equality doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens together.
