Why We Exist

The data is clear: boys and men across South Asia are facing rising challenges in mental health, education, livelihoods, and more. And yet, their experiences are often misunderstood or ignored.

At the Centre, we take a systems view. We explore how education, work, healthcare, technology, and cultural norms shape these realities — and how those systems can shift. Because we believe this is not just about boys and men. It is about building a better world for everyone.

We begin with a truth: men are struggling, and men also hold power.
Both are true. Both are shaped by unexamined gender systems.

What the Data Shows

Health and Wellbeing

70% of suicides in India are by men (Source: NCRB, 2022)
Men are 40% less likely than women to seek preventive care (Source: Indian Journal of Community Health, 2021)
Nearly half of men are at high risk for chronic diseases (Source: Statista, 2021)
Mental, sexual, and preventive health services often exclude men (Source: NFHS-5, 2021)

Education and Livelihoods

Boys drop out at higher rates after age 14 — especially in rural, low-income areas (Source: ASER Report, 2022)
Many transition into informal or precarious work early, with little support (Source: ILO, 2020)
Men dominate the gig economy, informal sector, and high-risk jobs (Source: ILO, 2020)
This contributes to stress, inadequate protections, and long-term burnout (Source: Journal of Occupational Health, 2022)

Violence and Emotional Disconnection

Men are overrepresented both as perpetrators and as victims (Source: NCRB, UNODC)
Over 90% of rape accused and 95% of homicide offenders in India are men (Source: NCRB, UNODC)
They also face high rates of custodial deaths and trauma (Source: NHRC, 2022)
Most boys grow up without emotional scaffolding or mentorship (Source: Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2019)
Schools and communities rarely foster emotional literacy (Observation-based)
This limits their ability to engage with care, responsibility, and relationships (Source: Harvard GSE, 2019)

Shifting Gender Roles

As women access education and public space, some men experience a sense of destabilization (Source: Qualitative insights from multiple South Asian studies)
Without adequate support, this can manifest as withdrawal, resentment, or harm (Observation-based)

Technology and Identity

Online platforms often reward detachment and dominance (Observation-based)
Boys and men are increasingly exposed to online violence, radicalization, and addiction (Source: GSMA, UNESCO)
Mental health support remains limited and often inaccessible in digital spaces (Source: GSMA, UNESCO)

Despite all this, most gender policies still treat boys and men as invisible -
or as risks to contain. Few focus on how systems shape male behavior, opportunity, or outcomes.

The Centre exists to fill this gap. We look at how masculinities are shaped and sustained - and what systems can do differently. We begin with listening, learning, and building from the ground up.