THLP0103

Engaging Men in Gender Equity and HIV/AIDS: 

Engaging Men in Gender Equity and HIV/AIDS Frameworks and Experiences Abhijit Das, India

Outline : 

Outline Why engage with men in work around SRH and HIV? Review of programmes working with men Differing approaches Examples of some gender transformative approaches.

Why talk about men?: 

Why talk about men? When….. Women are more vulnerable to HIV and SRH problems Women need more services for HIV and SRH Women suffer more from HIV (as care givers as well) Women also suffer from gender discrimination and violence Men make the laws and rules and women have to abide by them Is it because …… Men are the ‘problem’ (irresponsible, risk takers, violent, etc) Men make the rules and so involving them could mean a better deal for women Men too have needs which are not addressed Patriarchy affects men as well and they can change for the better

A Historical Review: 

A Historical Review ‘Hard’ (economic/productive) development programmes have usually worked with men – nation building, infrastructure, income-generation, environment etc. Historically women’s development programmes have focussed on (‘soft’) social issues like literacy, health Special focus on Women and Gender issues emerged later – WID-WAD-GAD Gender has emerged as an important development construct especially after ICPD and Beijing Conferences ‘Gender lens’ is now applied to all areas of development, though much of it is focussed on gender discrimination faced by women

Men and Women’s Health and Allied Issues: 

Men and Women’s Health and Allied Issues Men and Contraception – Condom and Vasectomy have been around for longer than Oral Pills, IUCDs and Laparscopic Tubal ligation Men, maternal health and fathering – Traditional concepts – marriage compulsory, having children as essential measure of virility; Modern Challenges – Nuclear families; working wives etc. Men and Violence and Women- Work with abusers/batterers , Men’s Campaigns ( eg. White Ribbon Campaign), Training (including police), Community activities etc. Men and Sexual Health – Silence, ignorance, myths; sexual identity movements Men and HIV – High sexual-risk taking, MSM, Migration, Sexual violence etc.

Programmes with Men - An Overview: 

Programmes with Men - An Overview Group-based (educational/counseling) Clinic-based or social services-based. Mass media campaigns, targetting men and boys broadly. Community-level or school-level campaigns. (such as street theatre, community groups or outreach workers). Mass media campaigns, combined with local or community activities Integrated approaches.

Slide7: 

How can programs address gender inequality? Approaches that reinforce negative messages about gender Gender-neutral programming Gender-sensitive programming Transformative – Empowering approaches Adapted from - Gupta, SIECUS Report, Vol. 26, No. 5, 2001

Men and Gender Not just a Man – Woman issue: 

Men and Gender Not just a Man – Woman issue Men are a diverse group with unequal privileges and opportunities – diverse masculinities, social exclusions Hegemonic masculinity is the ‘model’ – heterosexual, aggressive, competitive, but stoic and controlled and is ridden with multiple anxieties Hegemonic masculinity promotes violence between nations, communities, men and between men and women Socialisation of men also involves compulsion and limits choices Gender equality involves women and men understanding and giving spaces and support to each other

Examples of Transformative Interventions: 

Examples of Transformative Interventions Programme H Stepping Stones MASVAW Men As Partners

Programme H: 

Programme H A multi-pronged approach for engaging young men in promoting gender equality, including HIV/AIDS, SRH and VAW

Stepping Stones: 

Stepping Stones A training package on communication and relationships skills, HIV and AIDS

MASVAW, India: 

MASVAW, India A Community based campaign promoting men and gender equality ( including SRH and VAW)

Men As Partners, South Africa: 

Men As Partners, South Africa A programme addressing men and HIV in South Africa

A beginning has been made…..: 

A beginning has been made….. With this brief introduction to work with men around gender equality I will leave it to my colleagues to take the process forward.. ….We still have a long way to go

Thank you: 

Thank you