KOLKATA: Globe-trotting in his efforts to engage men and boys in efforts to prevent gender-based violence, an American public speaker and educator believes the U.S. can replicate India's innovative ways to address the problem.

Ben Atherton-Zeman, a spokesperson for the NGO National Organization for Men Against Sexism, is now on his maiden India sojourn.

"I think the U.S. has a lot to learn from India. Indian feminists and Indian advocates against gender-based violence are doing so many things in innovative ways that I have only learnt in the last few days, " Atherton-Zaman, who works as a prevention educator for rape crisis centres, domestic violence programmes and state coalitions, Said.

"I am looking forward to bringing home those lessons that I have been privileged to share what we do with the Indian NGOs," he said, adding he was "impressed" by the way theatre is being channeled to spread awareness in this country.

On his India tour, Atherton-Zeman brought his acclaimed single-man play "Voices of Men".

The play - an offshoot of his love for improvisational comedy - uses humour (in a sensitive approach) and celebrity male voice impersonations (such as Kermit The Frog) to express ideas on issues of gender violence.

It has been performed across the world and translated into many languages. It is now set to be translated into Telegu by a Hyderabad-based youth theatre group with "an urban Hyderabadi spin" to it.

"I am mostly here trying to draw attention to the work that has already been done by Indian NGOs and mostly Indian women, to stop gender-based violence, to stop men's violence against women," the 48-year old said.

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Source: IANS