Engaging Boys and Men in RH: A Gender Transformative Approach

1. Engaging Boys and Men in RH: A Gender Transformative Approach Theresa Castillo Gabi Hecker Kent Klindera Manisha Mehta The ACQUIRE Project New York, New York

2. Session Agenda • Overview of Men As Partners ® Model/Frameworks – Manisha • Interactive Session from Group Education Manual – Gabi and Theresa • Applications/Results – Kent • Lessons Learned – Manisha • Questions and Answers

3. Transformative Programs:Challenging Male Gender Norms • Approaches that reinforce negative messages about gender • Gender-neutral programming • Gender-adaptive programming • Transformative programs Adapted from Gupta, SIECUS Report, Vol.26, No.5, 2001

4. Men as Partners: Working with Men in a Gender Framework Men as Clients Men as Agents of Change Men as Supportive Partners

5. Strengthening Individual Knowledge & Skills Facilitating Peer & Family Support Mobilizing Communities Supporting Health Care Providers Changing and Supporting Organizational Practices Fostering Coalitions and Networks Influencing Policy and Legislation The Spectrum of Change:Implementing an Ecological Model

6. Group Education Sample Session Engaging Boys and Men in RH: A Gender Transformative Approach The ACQUIRE Project New York, New York

7. Applications/Results Engaging Boys and Men in RH: A Gender Transformative Approach The ACQUIRE Project New York, New York

8. Nigeria – IUD Revitalization Project Overview (2006-2007): • MAQ/IUD Project in partnership with COMPASS/Nigeria • Participatory needs assessment recognized need for more male support of IUD/contraceptives in general • Conducted workshops with leaders from Community Coalitions on male involvement in the promotion and acceptance of IUD as a family planning method • Conducted workshops with staff from FP clinics on male-friendly services, men as clients/supportive partners

9. Nigeria – IUD Revitalization Results • Service statistics from pilot sites in Lagos and Kano showed IUD uptake has increased, especially compared with other sites in Nigeria where MAP activities were not conducted • Motivated community-based partners to infuse MAP into SRH life skills education • Sustained involvement of men in COMPASS community coalitions • Created demand for male involvement in fistula care and prevention programs IUD uptake 2005-7

10. Nepal – Young Marrieds Project Overview (2005-2007): • Trained married adolescents as peer educators to provide RH information by organizing individual and group educational events • Created an enabling environment for married adolescents by working with influential family and community members to raise awareness of adolescent health needs and rights • Supported local health facilities to provide youth-friendly services

11. Nepal – Young Marrieds Results • Overall, the mean number of ANC visits increased from 2.7 to 3.7 visits • Median age at marriage increased significantly from 14 to 16 years; Median age at gauna rose from 15 to 16 years. Results indicate an increasing trend to postpone marriage & gauna in the project districts, and to arrange marriage & gauna ceremonies at the same time • Peer educators established child marriage eradication committees (CMECs) in 33 districts with support from local leaders and organizations. To institutionalize efforts, the project, in collaboration with 22 organizations, organized a child marriage and dowry system eradication conference in 2007 where they developed an advocacy agenda

12. Nepal – Young Marrieds

13. South Africa – HIV/Gender-based Violence Project Overview (October 2005-present): • Focusing on HIV and gender-based violence via Ecological Model • Building capacity national and community-based NGOs and government to develop gender transformative programming • Working with various populations (South African Police Services, university students, performing/visual artists; secondary school students, community leaders, faith-community members, home-based care organizations; advocacy groups, among others) • PEPFAR Programme areas including: - AB/OP prevention - Male-friendly VCT - HIV Palliative Care • Engaging Media Practitioners/Celebrities

14. South Africa – HIV/Gender-Based Violence Results – PEPFAR Indicators: • 387,079 reached with AB/OP prevention messages • 5623 tested (since March 2008 - majority male) • 2797 provided HIV palliative care • 6030 trained in Prevention, Male-friendly HIV Services • Over 10 million reached via mass media

15. South Africa – HIV/Gender-Based Violence Results: • 32 community-based and national NGOs, and government partners; concept of “Transformation Agents” • 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence –SA Million Men’s March(2007), MAP Pledge adopted by Postal Services – linked to Orange Wristbands disseminated • “Sisonke” Campaign – Launch in August (Women’s Month) with celebrity men showing commitment to women by getting tested • Evaluation Study (secondary school students)

16. South Africa – HIV/Gender-Based Violence N=139 ; Project and Evaluation Research Services, 2003

17. South Africa – HIV/Gender-Based Violence “I used to use the Bible to defend patriarchy. I now use it to challenge gender stereotypes.” Male MAP Participant and Church Leader, Umtata, South Africa “It was the first time I felt respected by men in my life, the first time I’ve felt like men really listened to what I had to say. I now believe that there are good men out there.” Female MAP workshop Participant Thokoza, South Africa

18. South Africa – HIV/Gender-Based Violence Strength & I am a Partner Campaigns

19. Gender Norms Initiative Program Overview (June 2007 – present) HIV and AIDS focus: • Field Support for male gender norms initiative Ethiopia, Namibia, Mozambique and Tanzania • To integrate evidence-based program models and practices into HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment programs to achieve large-scale, positive change in male norms, roles, and behaviors

20. Gender Norms Initiative Programme Objectives: • Technical assistance and training: To ensure integration and application of evidence-based approaches and to support program innovation with PEPFAR partners • Strategic planning assistance: For development of a “national response”- to achieve a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to changing male norms and behaviors • Evaluation: Of program scale-up and changes in norms and individual behavior

21. Gender Norms Initiative Results - PEPFAR Indicators: • Provide training (3-5 days) and ongoing capacity- building assistance to 58 NGO PEPFAR partners in the four countries • 1656 Individuals Trained in ME group education • 150 individuals trained in ME community mobilization • 161 individuals trained in male-friendly services

22. Gender Norms Initiative Types of technical and capacity-building assistance: • Program Design • Implementation • Strategic Planning • Needs Assessment • Curriculum Development and Review • IEC Development • Monitoring and Evaluation • Training in Group Education, Community Mobilization and Service Delivery • Policy Review and Assessment • Advocacy • Networking

23. Gender Norms Initiative Results: • Impact evaluations being conducted in Ethiopia and Namibia • Development of Community Action Teams (CATs) at local level • Response from faith-based groups to develop manuals • Collaborations with U.S. Peace Corps • Engagement of Men in “PPTCT” • Development of MenEngage Networks (e.g. National Response) • High level support for the initiative (Namibia Men’s Conference; Tanzania Policy Review)

24. Lessons Learned Engaging Boys and Men in RH: A Gender Transformative Approach The ACQUIRE Project New York, New York

25. Lessons Learned • Transformative programming & capacity building requires significant time, effort, and support • Quality oversight needs to be built in when scaling-up • Linkages between partners critical but sometimes difficult • Need to work with men addressing broader socio-economic conditions.

26. Lessons Learned • Present men as potential partners capable of playing a positive role in the health and well being of their partners, families and communities • Build organizational cultures that are committed to working with men and gender equity • Activities have to focus on more than individual change