Bibliography N

2.2Strategies for Change

2.2.1Men as Partners against Gender-Based Violence

http://www.siyanda.org/docs/Working_with_men_and_boys_1may06.pdf

A number of organisations in South and Central Asia have recognised the urgent need to include boys and men in efforts to combat gender-based violence in the region. Yet there have been few opportunities for them to come together to work collectively on this important issue. To begin this process, UNIFEM and Save the Children Sweden, organised a three-day workshop in 2004 on ‘Strategies and Tools for Working with Men and Boys to end Violence against Girls, Boys, Women and other Men’. The workshop aimed to increase knowledge of processes and practical tools for working with boys and men to combat gender-based violence in the region, such as promoting positive parenting, creating support groups for men and boys, addressing the media, and challenging discriminatory laws. The workshop also produced a South Asian work-plan on promoting partnership with men and boys to end violence against girls, boys, women and other men. Participants discussed the idea of starting up White Ribbon Campaigns - a campaign which originated in Canada to engage men and boys in the struggle to end men’s violence against women - in their own countries. They also decided to incorporate the issue of men’s involvement in ending gender-based violence into existing campaigns and programmes, such as International Women’s Day.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://www.siyanda.org/docs/Reclaiming_Travesti_Histories-Campazuno.doc

In pre-colonial Peru the distinctions between male and female were far more flexible than they are today. A traditional 'travesti' or transgender/transvestite identity and culture existed and played an important role in Andean religion and society. Colonial and subsequently development influences suppressed these identities and communities, although the Peruvian travesti remained. In contemporary Peru travestis face violence from the public and police, as well as economic exclusion and discrimination by health services. Travestis have assimilated the worst of both gender roles. Sometimes they are seen as male and thus fair game for violence from the police. However, they have also assumed some aspects of the stereotypical woman, such as body transformation even at the cost of their health, choosing ‘macho’ and possibly violent partners, and passivity in sex. Travestis need a new kind of post-feminism to enable them to make active choices about which genders they wish to claim, and to live out their chosen genders in ways that validate themselves. Rights are needed for all people to choose and transit between gender identities whether male, female, or a combination.

Ferguson, H. et al. (2004) Ending Gender-Based Violence: A Call for Global Action to Involve Men, Stockholm: Swedish International Development Cooperation Development Agency (Sida)

http://www.sida.se/shared/jsp/download.jsp?f=SVI34602.pdf&a=3108

When men are confronted with the problem of violence against women they often dismiss it with: “Don’t look at me! I don't do that kind of thing!” Yet men’s violence is a worldwide problem. Despite this, there are men in many parts of the world who are themselves seeking ways to challenge stereotypical models of masculinity and are seeking to engage other men in reducing gender-based violence. In this context, research on masculinity has a major role to play: which socially constructed gender roles make some men violent and how can they be demolished? In this report, seven researchers write about the links between masculinity and violence. These acts of violence are committed not only against women and children, but also against other men. The writers suggest a number of ways in which men can be involved in working to combat men’s violence. For example, the development of a greater awareness of gender issues among men and increased involvement in the care of children may prove fruitful strategies. Greater cohesion among different levels of policy response is also necessary. At the community level, for example, services providers and civil leaders should coordinate their efforts to ensure more effective services with a consistent message of basic rights, peace and equality.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://www.siyanda.org/docs/SCS_Regional_Workshop_Report_March_2004_Long2.pdf

Interventions that treat men as the villains and women as the victims have not taken us far. Not all masculinities (or ways of being a man) are harmful to men, women and children. This was the starting point for a three-day workshop organised by the South and Central Asia office of Save the Children-Sweden, which was held in Kathmandu in March 2004 on ‘strengthening partnership with men and boys to promote gender equality and end violence against girls and boys’. Around thirty participants from the region met and shared their practical experiences of and theoretical insights into working with men and boys. This resource includes an overview of the workshop, a discussion of frameworks and approaches for working with men and boys, a description of the work that is currently being carried out on these issues, and a discussion of ways to take this work forward. Recommendations highlight the need to increase knowledge on gender issues among professionals and in the school curriculum. Efforts should also be made to promote programmes for men on parenting and responsible sexual behaviour. Programmes should stress the benefits for all members in society of men playing a more active role in nurturing their children and abandoning the culture of violence as a proof of masculinity.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

Leaving out boys and men from gender and development work is a recipe for failure. But how can we effectively involve men in practice? This chapter discusses a framework for addressing and involving men in gender equality initiatives, drawing on examples from the White Ribbon Campaign, a campaign that aims to engage men and boys in the struggle to end men’s violence against women. For example, it is important that interventions use the language of responsibility rather than blame. Language that leaves men feeling blamed for things they have not done or for things they were taught to do, or feeling guilty for the violence of other men, will alienate men and boys and promote a backlash. Rather, we must challenge men and boys to take responsibility for change and focus on the positive benefits to all. White Ribbon posters attempt to affirm the positive, reaching out to men with messages like “You have the power to end violence against women in your community”. Encouraging men to take responsibility for their use of violence must also be combined with compassion and empathy with men and boys and a desire to create spaces for these men to change their lives.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

Lang, J. (2003) ‘Working with Men to End Gender-Based Violence: Lessons for the South Asian Context’, background paper prepared for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific’s (UNESCAP) Sub-regional Training Workshop on The Elimination of Violence Against Women in Partnership With Men, New Delhi, India, 2–5 December 2003

http://www.unescap.org/esid/GAD/Publication/DiscussionPapers/15/series15-main-text.pdf

Compared with women, men – especially young men – are overwhelmingly involved in all types of violence. Cultural ideas about what it means to be a man often support this violence. But that is not to say that violence is a natural condition for men, or a natural part of being a man. Men are taught to use violence and at times are encouraged to use it. This paper was prepared for a 2003 UNESCAP Sub-regional Training Workshop on the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Partnership with Men. It argues that rather than categorically blaming and shaming men, programmes should start with a recognition that not all men use violence. There are alternative versions of masculinity that are displayed by and open for men. Those men that stand up as advocates for women are at times ridiculed and are often lonely voices – more efforts should be made to support and connect them. Interventions that appear to be ‘top down’ or ‘foreign’ also have a high likelihood of failure. Instead, programmes should work from the ground up, identifying local traditions, norms and masculine characteristics that are conducive to ending violence – while at the same time not allowing for ‘culture’ to be an excuse for the violence of individuals.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://www.unescap.org/esid/GAD/Publication/DiscussionPapers/15/series15-main-text.pdf (go to page 21 of the document)

The importance of involving men in movements and initiatives to end violence against women is increasingly recognised by international and civil society organisations. But what strategies actually work to engage men in practice? In December 2003, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) organised a Sub-regional Training Workshop on the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Partnership with Men. This paper was prepared for the workshop and highlights good practices of organisations and networks working with men to end violence against women in the region. In addition to United Nations’ programmes, the paper describes the work of: Rozan, an NGO in Pakistan; the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre; the Man’s Action to Stop Violence against Women (MASVAW) network in India; the Cambodia Men’s Network; and the White Ribbon Campaign. The initiatives described reveal the need to make men more aware of the benefits of the elimination of violence against women, both for themselves and for societies as a whole. Efforts must be made to avoid alienating men: men must be provided spaces where they are made to feel comfortable in sharing their feelings and expressing their fears. The resource also includes an extensive inventory of organisations and initiatives working in partnership with men to end violence against women in the UNESCAP region.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

‘Machismo’ is a deep-rooted socio-cultural model of masculinity in Nicaragua and in most of Latin America. It is built on the assumption that men are superior to women and it dictates men's attitudes, behaviour and values. This publication documents a pioneering effort by the Managua-based Centre for Popular Education and Communications (CANTERA) to encourage men to tackle the very roots of machismo. Rather than accepting the idea that men and women come from ‘different planets’, participants are encouraged to examine and unlearn their own society’s rules about being a man. For example, CANTERA runs a course on ‘Masculinity and Popular Education’, which covers issues such as: male identities, gender theory, violence (types, causes and effects), sex and sexuality, homosexuality and homophobia, relationships with women, self image and self esteem, fatherhood, interpersonal communication and mental health. The first three workshops are attended only by men, but the last workshop brings men together with the women who take part in a parallel course. This shared space allows the joint discussion of aspirations, fears, proposals and strategies. Both men and women tended to agree that the courses had served as a catalyst for changes in the way that men perceived their masculinity, resulting in greater participation by men in domestic chores, improved relations in the workplace, and a reduction in discriminatory practices.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

2.2.2Strengthening Men’s Resistance to Violence and Conflict

Young men are on the front lines of civil unrest, riots and gang warfare worldwide. The principal causes of death for young men are violence and traffic accidents, both of which are directly related to how boys are socialised (i.e., taught how to become a member of society). Because they are trying to live up to certain rigid models of masculinity they are, literally, dying to be men. Largely urban-based, this violence is clearly related to social exclusion, unemployment, and limited educational opportunities, as well as to the prevailing ideas about male identity in these contexts. Based on field research in the US, the Caribbean, Brazil and Nigeria, this book explores how male identity is shaped in poor urban settings, what the implications are for social policy, and what forms of intervention are most effective. In particular, it asks: What makes resistance to violent and rigid views about masculinity possible? Possible answers include: having family members who present alternative, non-violent views about gender roles such as a father who was involved in the care of his children; experiencing personal pain as a result of violent versions of masculinity and having been able to reflect on this loss; and having a group of peers who also question traditional views about manhood. To purchase a copy of this publication contact: Taylor & Francis Customer Services, ITPS, Cheriton House, North Way, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5BE, UK. Email: book.orders@tandf.co.uk

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

Dolan, C. (2003) ‘Collapsing Masculinities and Weak States: A Case Study of Northern Uganda’, in Frances Cleaver (ed.), Masculinities Matter! Men, Gender and Development, London: Zed Books

Men’s lived experiences of masculinity are diverse. Despite this, men are often taught that they should aspire to and judge themselves by certain fixed ideas about what it means to be a man. In northern Uganda, men are expected to become husbands and fathers (preferably educated), provide for the material needs of their families, and ensure the physical protection of their wives and children. Yet it is difficult for the majority of men to fulfil these social expectations, especially in the northern Ugandan context of ongoing war and internal displacement. 50 per cent of the population is internally displaced and has limited access to subsistence farming, income-generating opportunities, education, employment, or legal and physical protection from the state. For men looking to marry, the absence of cattle (due to cattle raiding) or cash to provide bride payments is a serious obstacle. Where men do manage to marry and have children, their role as protector of physical security is severely compromised. This creates a gap between society’s expectations of masculinity and the reality of what real men can achieve, which can result in widespread feelings of fear, humiliation and frustration, often expressed in violence against themselves and others. In other words, violence becomes the last resort for those who are unable to fulfil society’s idea of what being a man is all about. Interventions therefore need to work with men to develop alternative masculine identities, and must simultaneously address the role of the state in undermining these alternatives.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

Widmer, M. (with G. Barker. and C. Buchanan) (2006) ‘Hitting the Target: Men and Guns’, Revcon Policy Brief, June 2006

http://www.hdcentre.org/datastore/Small%20arms/UN%20Process/MenandGuns.pdf

Across cultures, most acts of violence are committed by men. Men and boys also account for the overwhelming majority of firearm-related injuries and deaths. Men often feel the need to publicly demonstrate that they are ‘real men’, and a gun is helpful in making this point. Recognising the link between masculinities, youth, and gun violence is not about demonising men, however. On the contrary, attention has to be given to men’s resilience – the factors that lead the majority of men, even in settings where armed violence is prevalent, to resist resorting to gun violence. We need to examine why most men and boys avoid or decide against armed violence. Are there strategies that can be put in place to bolster such resiliency? This policy brief explores the diverse roles that men and boys play in relation to guns – as perpetrators, victims, survivors and agents of change. Two main approaches are outlined to dissociate masculinities, guns and violence. The first one seeks to restrict access to guns by those most likely to misuse them, through awareness-raising programmes, community policing or strengthened legislation. Alternatively, other programmes focus on reducing the propensity to violence, either through working with perpetrators of violence, or by promoting alternative notions of masculinity based on non-violence and care. Social, economic and political empowerment of youth - male and female - is another important violence prevention strategy, particularly in situations recovering from war.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

2.2.3Fostering Constructive Male Involvement in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

http://www.siyanda.org/docs/Race_Culture_Power_Sex_Desire-Gosine.doc

Many names are given to identities and practices that suggest or involve sexual activity between men: queer, gay, homosexual, dandy, batty man, queen, bachelor, fag and so on. In international development, however, ‘Men who have sex with men’ (MSM) has fast become the preferred term to describe same-sex desire by men. This term was originally proposed as an alternative to ‘gay’ or ‘bisexual’ by grassroots activists and health care workers concerned about the impact of sexually transmitted diseases in their communities. This was a radical gesture at the time, a sharp refusal of the ways in which sexual orientation and sexual behaviour was being talked about and understood by organisations led by white, gay-identified men. However, the term has now been appropriated by the development industry and its implications and effects have altered. MSM is now used as a catch-all category for non-western and non-white men with same-sex practices. The focus is placed on their sexual interactions and potential for spreading disease, while their emotions, love, and desires are ignored.

Greig, A. (2006) ‘Sex and the Rights of Man’, in A. Cornwall and S. Jolly, ‘Sexuality Matters’, IDS Bulletin 37.5

http://www.siyanda.org/docs/Sex_and_the_Rights_of_Man-Greig.doc

This paper explores the subject of sexual rights and the claims about such rights as they are made by and for men. It asks: what can men’s interest be in the social and sexual revolution being proposed by advocates of sexual rights? The first answer to this question is to recognise that some men’s sexual rights have long been violated. Those men who have sex with other men are especially vulnerable to such violation. But what about men who do appear to conform to dominant stereotypes of masculinity? What can be said of their sexual rights? Even these men may suffer sexual violence, as shown by figures on non-consensual heterosexual experiences reported by boys and men. Furthermore, gender socialisation (the process by which individuals learn and teach others about the roles and behaviours that are expected of them as a women or man in a given society) may inhibit men’s ability to experience joy, dignity, autonomy and safety in their sexual lives. For example, gender socialisation dictates that men should be confident and take control in sexual relations, leaving no space for admission of the anxieties that many feel. However, it is also important to consider the privileges that ensue to men who conform to prevailing ideas about masculinity and sexuality. It is crucial both to recognise the gender constraints that shape men’s sexual attitudes and behaviours, at the same time as holding men accountable for the choices and decisions that they do make within their sexual lives.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://www.id21.org/insights/index.html

This short paper describes a project in rural Ecuador that worked with a youth group to reduce gender-based power imbalances. Graphics, role plays and focus group discussions helped group members to reduce their consumption of alcohol and stop coercing each other into having sex with multiple partners. Some learning points are outlined.

• 
  Young people engaged with the project because of interesting exercises that encouraged them to think about their lives from fresh viewpoints.
  
• 
  Peer pressure around masculinity was the most significant issue for both men and women.
  
• 
  The project helped its male participants realise the potential negative consequences of the ways they would do almost anything to avoid mockery on the grounds of not being ‘real men’.
  
• 
  Agreeing to stop peer pressure around certain masculinity issues had a major impact on the behaviour of those who had felt coerced into conformity and even made some difference to that of the rest.
  

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

Stigma and legal sanctions against homosexuality, as well as gender norms among men who have sex with men, lead to an emphasis on aggression, power play and penetration in male-to-male sex in India. This in turn contributes to low levels of condom use among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people, and increases the risk of HIV and ill-health. This paper explores the potential for the promotion of more sensuous, pleasurable, and communicative sex which could also be safer. The paper draws on the author’s research as well as on his personal experience working as a masseur in Kolkata Massage parlours which provide commercial sexual services to male clients. The findings are being used to develop behaviour change communication (BCC) strategies and material to promote elements of sensuousness in male-to-male sex. Strategies are proposed for creating safer social and sexual spaces for MSM, including those working in the sex industry. Improving the quality of sex education in progressive schools or colleges is one suggestion. Students should be taught that sex is more than just penile-vaginal penetration and messages should be designed such that the students develop a non-aggressive notion of sex, and learn to respect gender equity and variations in gender and sexuality. Other strategies include: making condom use appear uncomplicated and trendy; making non-penetrative sex appear more desirable; and sharing experiences of safe, pleasurable sex.

How can development organisations most constructively engage men in reproductive health issues? This report by the IGWG Men and Reproductive Health Subcommittee describes three programmes which have worked with men and young people to improve reproductive health for both men and women. The Mexican-based NGO, Salud y Género, uses participatory and awareness-raising exercises to help men examine the consequences of ‘masculine’ behaviours such as risk-taking and the inability to express emotions. The Society for the Integrated Development of the Himalayas (SIDH) in India focuses on gender-awareness education as a means of improving gender equity in its work with young people in the villages of the Central Himalayas. The Stepping Stones programme, which has been widely used throughout Africa and Asia, is a communication, relationships and life-skills training package which works with men and women to prevent transmission of HIV and improve reproductive well-being. Each of the programmes illustrates ways in which men are challenged to examine their assumptions about masculinity, and the effect of these assumptions on their own health and that of their female partners. Lessons are drawn from each initiative. For SIDH, for example, the inclusion of women in “male involvement” projects is seen as essential to provide men with the opportunity to communicate directly with women on difficult reproductive health issues. For Stepping Stones, promoting positive relations among men is particularly important in order to create mutual support and positive peer pressure for behaviour change.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

International HIV/AIDS Alliance, (2003) Working with men, responding to AIDS: Gender, Sexuality and HIV – A Case Study Collection, International HIV/AIDS Alliance

http://synkronweb.aidsalliance.org/graphics/secretariat/publications/wwm1103_working_with_men.pdf

Across the world, people working on HIV/AIDS are recognising the importance of working with men in order to have a real impact on the epidemic. There are many reasons why it is important to work with men. Some of these reasons are to do with the power that men have and some are to do with the problems that they face. This case study collection, produced by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, presents experiences and lessons from a range of different projects that are working with men to enable them to change their attitudes and behaviour. By highlighting experiences and lessons from the field in the form of case studies, this collection offers inspiration, ideas and models for working with different kinds of men in a range of contexts. The case studies describe work being carried out with men on issues such as: gender norms and roles; sexuality; HIV risk through injecting drugs; living with HIV/AIDS; health and social welfare problems; and violence. A range of possible strategies are outlined for working with men, including: outreach work; peer education; counselling (including voluntary counselling and testing); policy advocacy; training; community mobilisation; and arts, theatre and the media. Summary adapted from the resource.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://synergyaids.org/documents/Bangladeshsummaryrprt06.pdf

Adolescence is a time when attitudes and values about ‘correct’ behaviours are often learned and internalised. For boys, these can include viewing women as sex objects, condoning violence to obtain sex, and equating sexual ‘prowess’ (or skills) and multiple sexual partners with ‘manhood’. Yet the formative years of adolescence are also a time when young men are most receptive to more equitable versions of masculinity and to more informed perspectives on their roles and responsibilities in reproductive health and intimate relationships. The urgent question that needs to be asked is: how can we reach boys with reproductive health information before they become sexually active? This paper documents the findings of a study on the formation of sexual and reproductive health-related behaviour among young men in Bangladesh. The objectives of the study were to understand adolescent male decision making regarding sexual behaviours and gender relationships, and to explore the impact of cultural and social expectations of masculinity on this behaviour. Several recommendations are made. Staff in family planning clinics should be sensitised and trained to understand men’s health issues and provide non-judgmental advice on both medical and psychological concerns. A range of confidential support and counselling systems should also be developed for feminised males (kothis and hijras) and other men who have sex with men. Most importantly, services need to correspond to men’s health needs as they themselves perceive them. Only then are they likely to attract young men as clients and ensure future opportunities for male involvement in other aspects of reproductive health care.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://www.siyanda.org/search/summary.cfm?nn=1828&ST=SS&Keywords=sex%20work&SUBJECT=0&Donor=&StartRow=1&Ref=Sim

Extensive interviews with Albanian migrants, including sex workers, in Italy and Greece, provide the groundwork for this piece. Particularly in the early post-communist years, migration to undertake sex work emerged as an important strategy of survival for many Albanian young men, despite the stigma associated with homosexuality. If these men see themselves as gay they may be relatively at ease with their work. However, many see homosexuality as the identity of their ‘despised’ clients and feel that this work makes them less ‘manly’. In order to regain a masculine self-image some Albanian male sex workers play the traditional role of financial supporter and/or exploiter of a female partner. While they often use condoms with clients, they are less likely to use condoms with their female partners, many of whom are sex workers themselves. Albanian male sex workers, however, are rarely targeted by HIV interventions. Due to the lack of recognition of male sex workers, they are categorised by the state as gay rather than as sex workers. Yet NGOs working for the rights of gay people often consider them to be migrants rather than members of their gay community. And the sex workers themselves often do not see themselves as gay. They therefore fall through the gaps of any targeted HIV/AIDS programmes. Such dynamics have serious implications for the spread of HIV/AIDS in Albania, a country with high population mobility and low condom use. This publication is available from Cavendish Publishing Limited, The Glass House, Wharton Street, London, WC1X 9PX, United Kingdom, Tel: +44 (0)20 72788000, Fax: +44 (0)20 72788080, info@cavendishpublishing.com.

Niang, C. I., Diagne, M., Niang, Y., Moreau, A. M., Gomis, D., and Diouf, M. (2002) Meeting the Sexual Health Needs of Men Who have Sex with Men in Senegal, The Population Council

http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/horizons/msmsenegal.pdf

This study explores the health situation and needs of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Senegal. Many MSM identify as either 'Ibis', who act feminine and are less dominant in sexual encounters, or 'Yoos', who are generally the dominant penetrative partner during sex and who do not consider themselves to be homosexuals. MSM and their partners are at risk of HIV because although most interviewed knew that condoms reduce risk, the majority did not use them because they felt that they reduced pleasure. ‘Ibis', by contrast, are at risk of HIV because they are not in a position to ask for condom use from a dominant partner. Of the MSM who were interviewed, eighty eight percent had had vaginal sex with women and nearly a fifth had had anal sex. Yet they were reluctant to go to hospital for treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly anal symptoms, as hospital staff treated them with scorn, ignored them or did not respect their confidentiality. Respondents identified a number of strategies for meeting the needs of MSM for prevention and care, including training peer educators, holding community workshops, making condoms available in places frequented by MSM, and reducing the stigmatisation and discrimination among health professionals through sensitivity training.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://www.flacso.cl/flacso/biblos.php?code=619 (Spanish)

The global debate around sexual and reproductive rights has been heavily women-focused. In Chile, men are still largely invisible when it comes to child rearing: public policies have focused primarily on the relationship between mothers and children, and women are considered to have prime responsibility for child-rearing. Recommendations are made to better integrate men in sexual and reproductive health initiatives in Chile, including: introduce contraception campaigns and programmes that focus on men; implement initiatives promoting men’s participation in pre-natal care and birth; promote the inclusion of men in professions related to reproduction such as Obstetrics, Nursing, Nutrition, Nursery teaching, and so on; and carry out public educational campaigns on sexuality and fatherhood, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence. This document is available in Spanish.

Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Nicaraguan Health Ministry (February 2004) ‘Promoting Men’s Participation in Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes, Summary of the Final Report’, Nicaragua

(‘Promoción de la participación de los hombres en programas de salud sexual y reproductiva, resumen del informe final’)

http://www.isis.cl/MujerySalud/Sexual/Documentos/doc/Estudio%20OPS%20salud%20sexual%20y%20reproductiva.pdf (Spanish)

There is now more awareness of the implications of men’s attitudes and behaviours on the spread of sexually transmitted infections (including HIV/AIDS), early or unwanted pregnancies, maternal mortality, and children’s social and economic neglect. There is also greater emphasis on the importance of bringing men’s specific needs and concerns around sexuality, reproduction and fatherhood into the equation, and of seeing men as part of the solution to reproductive and sexual health problems rather than simply the problem. This document contains the findings of a study conducted in Nicaragua on the involvement of men in sexual and reproductive health. Findings revealed that men’s attitudes towards women are often conservative and patriarchal: for instance, men are seen as the ones who make decisions and have the last word, and are seen as having more sexual needs than women. Almost half of the men interviewed accepted and justified violence against women. Although the majority of men interviewed expressed the importance of sharing responsibility for the upbringing of their children, in practice, those who do not live with their children have very little contact with them. Recommendations emphasised the importance of designing initiatives to promote men’s participation in sexual and reproductive health which take into account diversity (i.e. age, urban/rural, regional) and have specific strategies for each different group of men targeted. Another recommendation is to promote initiatives that encourage men’s active participation in pre- and post-natal care by showing them how they can contribute meaningfully. This document is currently only available in Spanish.

2.2.4Encouraging Men’s Positive Engagement as Fathers and Carers

Whether starting from a perspective of gender equity, child well-being, or men’s self-interest, more engaged fatherhood is likely to bring positive results. Yet efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean to encourage men’s involvement as fathers have been hindered by numerous assumptions. Many of the policy and programme initiatives that have emerged in the region have been framed around idealised views of what being a father means – views that may not contribute to promoting family or child well-being or gender equity. Moreover, only a handful of these initiatives have grown out of a concern for gender equity, that is, of engaging men in child care, child support, and domestic chores. These assumptions about men make it difficult to design effective programmes and policies to encourage fathers’ participation. It is important that we listen to the voices of fathers, recognise their own needs and interests, and make it clear how men themselves will benefit when they are actively engaged as fathers. This chapter provides an overview of men’s participation as fathers in Latin America and the Caribbean, concluding with programme, policy, and research considerations for governments and development agencies. New policies should include men in early child development initiatives and contain a focus on recruiting men as caregivers. Ministries of health should begin to include men in maternal-child health initiatives. Future research should focus not only on traditional, married fathers but also on alternative situations, for example, families in which men serve as surrogate fathers or stepfathers and families in which fathers live apart from their children.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) (2002) Reproductive Education and Responsible Fatherhood in Central America (Spanish)

(‘Educación reproductiva y paternidad responsable en el istmo centroamericano’)

http://www.eclac.org/cgi-bin/getProd.asp?xml=/publicaciones/sinsigla/xml/6/11766/P11766.xml&xsl=/mexico/tpl/p10f.xsl&base=/mexico/tpl/top-bottom.xslt

What are the links between fatherhood and poverty? What can be done to change gender patterns of behaviour around parenthood? This programme on Reproductive Education and Responsible Fatherhood, carried out by the Mexican office of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), explores the social and economic factors which prohibit men from being responsible fathers. It also addresses the implications this has on women’s economical and emotional status and on their children’s well-being, such as lower levels of education, earlier insertion into the labour force, high levels of malnutrition and childhood illnesses, and teenage pregnancies. This resource includes country reports on reproductive education and responsible fatherhood in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, and a regional report summing up the findings of the country reports. It also includes a training manual to support trainers in developing and running capacity building initiatives in key social sectors and institutions and a document making a first attempt to design indicators of responsible fatherhood to measure the implementation of initiatives in public policies. This Document is available in Spanish.


Enda Synergie Genre et Développement (ENDA-SYNFEV) and Réseau Siggil Jigéen (2002) Joint Parenting, Advocacy in Senegal

(‘Parenté conjointe, Plaidoyer au Sénégal’)

http://www.famafrique.org/parenteconjointe/accueil.html (French)

What advocacy mechanisms and initiatives can be put in place to encourage men to take joint responsibility for their families? This project on ‘Joint Parenting Advocacy in Senegal’ was carried out by ENDA Tiers-Monde with the support of the Acacia Initiative of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). It aims to use information and communication technologies (ICT) to raise public awareness of benefits of joint parenting and to prepare the grounds for a legislative change. The project includes research, information and communications initiatives, as well as training and advocacy. It has been implemented jointly with various civil society and human rights organisations, public authorities and elected representatives, and in association with the media and with regional and international ICT networks. A series of radio broadcasting programmes in French, and in the local language – Wolof, were also produced and are available to download from the site. Recommendations from the programme emphasise the need to build the internal capacity of women’s organisations in Senegal, to form alliances and facilitate networking to promote gender equality, and to carry out more research on the impact of ICTs on social change in Senegal. All outputs of the project can be accessed from the website, which is in French. Some documents are also available in English.

International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and The Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) (2005) Fulfilling Fatherhood: Experiences from HIV Positive Fathers, London: IPPF

http://www.ippf.org/downloads/HIV/FulfillingFatherhood.pdf

HIV positive fathers often play a pivotal – and positive – role in shaping the lives of their children and families. This is one clear message from these personal accounts by thirteen HIV positive fathers from across the globe. Yet these stories also attest to the complexities of fathering within the context of HIV/AIDS, particularly the difficulty of disclosing an HIV positive status to your own children. Men living with HIV also have specific sexual health concerns which are frequently neglected, and they often lack information on how to have a healthy sex life. Acknowledging and responding to the sexual and reproductive health issues and desires of HIV positive men and fathers is vital. For example, counselling and testing for sexually transmitted infections needs to become more ‘man-friendly’. Fathers also need therapy groups and a place to share challenges and support as positive fathers. Most importantly, more needs to be done to promote a positive image of positive fathers.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://www.siyanda.org/docs/lyra_medrado_meninclusion.doc

In Brazil, little attention has been given to men's participation in reproductive health – particularly in relation to pregnancy and child care. This paper emphasises the importance of developing strategies to involve both the mother and father in reproductive health issues. It describes the work of the PAPAI Institute (Programa de Apoio ao Pai), which founded the first Brazilian Adolescent Fathers' Support Programme. The programme aims to provide information to help young men take on responsibility for their own sexuality and its consequences, and to support teenagers who are already parents. Weekly workshops are held in hospitals and public health centres with young fathers and the partners of pregnant adolescents, focusing on issues relating to pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, and paternal responsibilities. PAPAI also uses art education to encourage the participation of men in childcare - for example by bringing out a 3.5 metre-high mascot at public events which represents a young man carrying his child in a baby-bag.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://www.staysafe.co.za/data/attachments/AgendaMarch05.doc

Fathers who are positively engaged in the lives of their children are less likely to be depressed, to commit suicide, or to beat their wives. They are more likely to be involved in community work, to be supportive of their partners, and to be involved in school activities. When fatherhood is privileged as a central aspect of masculinity, everybody benefits. This paper describes new emerging masculine identities which have developed in response to the critique of traditional models, and which emphasise tolerance, domestic responsibility, and sensitivity. These new models have led to a growing acceptance of the importance of families for men, and of men for families. The paper goes on to argue that it is particularly crucial to teach male youth to be caring and supportive, and suggests that the schooling system offers the best chance to instil these values in boys – particularly in the context of AIDS where young men increasingly have to provide care to sick family members. This will enable new gender roles to be created and will contribute to a more caring and responsible society.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/egm/men-boys2003/EP5-Peacock.pdf

In South Africa, as in many parts of the world, men often act in ways that leave women and girls disproportionately shouldering the burden of providing care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS. Despite this, little has been done to date to develop interventions that explicitly encourage men to play a more active role in caring for their partners and children. This paper, which was written for the UN Expert Group Meeting on “The role of men and boys in achieving gender equality”, argues that an important step in alleviating the burden of care and support borne by women is to challenge rigid ideas about masculinity which disassociate men from caring roles. It is also important to create opportunities for men to learn the skills necessary to provide care to people living with AIDS. For example, at a recent Men and Partners (MAP) workshop in Johannesburg, the male participants were encouraged to take part in a cooking competition. Most importantly, effective interventions need to present men as potential partners capable of playing a positive role in the health and well being of their partners, families and communities.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

2.2.5Promoting More Equitable Institutional Cultures and Practices within Development Organisations

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/resources/downloads/geneqmen/gem_lang.pdf

If gender equality is necessary for sustainable development, why are so few men in development organisations working on gender issues? This paper describes internal lobbying and capacity-building initiatives within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the UK-based NGO, Oxfam GB. These initiatives are, respectively, the UN Working Group on Men and Gender Equality, and the Gender Equality and Men (GEM) project. The paper highlights the constraints – conceptual, structural, policy and personal – to greater male involvement. It argues that in order to overcome these constraints, development organisations should lead by example in implementing organisational policies in relation to, for example, paternity and maternity leave, flexible working hours for both women and men, childcare provision (with male and female staff), and sexual harassment. Special attention should be given to policies that encourage more flexible gender roles, such as increased opportunities for childcare for men. To ensure fertile ground for these policies to take root, it is important that more senior managers, particularly men, become involved as active champions in the cause of gender equality. Male managers as positive gender self-aware role models are key to changing the attitudes of those who may be unsure or ambivalent about new gender policies.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/resources/downloads/geneqmen/gem_rogers.pdf

How can development organisations promote greater personal commitment to gender equality among male staff? This article explores what male Oxfam staff in Bangladesh and India think about gender equality. Interviews and group discussions were held, which revealed that the strongest factor motivating men to support gender equality is seeing the effects of gender discrimination on the women they know. The main barrier was a general belief that ‘gender equality’ often translates into ‘women’s advancement’ to the exclusion of men. Several recommendations emerged from the discussions, such as the importance of considering attitudes to gender equality during recruitment processes. Staff members emphasised, however, that gender equality is not just about increasing the numbers of female staff in an organisation. Instead of using job advertisements that state, ‘women are especially encouraged to apply’, one man suggested alternative language, such as ‘This organisation promotes gender equality’. Including training in gender analysis as part of all inductions was also seen as important. All of the men strongly recommended that organisations like Oxfam should create opportunities for sharing views about family life and gender relations outside the office. Specific suggestions for taking this forward included having men-only discussions every two months, with men and women coming together twice a year to discuss gender issues. Another suggestion was to hold workshops focused on gender equality ‘beyond our programme of work’, to promote the message: “Treat women as equals not only at work, but also at home, in your personal lives”.

(Summary adapted from the resource.)