Live from MenEngage Rio: Men, Masculinities, Globalization, Development and Social Justice

Posted by Theresa Castillo

On the surface, there was a great deal of academic talk about “patriarchal masculinities” and the “masculinity of hegemony” at the “Men, Masculinities, Globalization, Development and Social Justice” session today (April 4). But for me it was another opportunity to think about the ways in which stereotypes are created and perpetuated in our daily lives.

One speaker, Juan Guillermo Figueroa from Colegio de Mexico, likened the way we socialize men through sports and competition as the “gym academy.” Men are allowed to hug and kiss each other on the field, but are discouraged to display any emotion outside of this sports context. This example highlights the importance of building spaces for men and communities to address such gender norms.

The MAP program has several strategies in place that tackle these deep-rooted behaviors and advance the global movement for social justice by empowering both men and women. We need to build on such successful programs. With more than 450 people, representing 80 countries, the Rio call for action commands a unified voice to help us move forward in our work and remain mindful. The possibility for change is very much in our hands.

International Women's Day 2009 and PAI

Population Action International (PAI), a well-respected partner organization in our field, has profiled one of EngenderHealth's Men As Partners® India videos -- Men Today, Men Tomorrow -- on their "Documentaries That Make A Difference" list for International Women's Day.

About the Video
In India, as in many parts of the world, a woman's increased vulnerability to HIV infection is largely a result of unequal gender roles. Male dominance in relationships, combined with peer pressure and traditional views of masculinity, often interferes with safe sexual practices. Furthermore, in India, rape occurs twice every minute, and nearly half of married men admit to physically abusing their wives. These problems transcend geography, economic status, and culture. Although many programs tackle these issues, they often focus on women and ignore the role of men.

EngenderHealth India saw this as an important opportunity. By partnering with local organizations, and adapting the global Men As Partners® (MAP) program, EngenderHealth developed community-based, peer-driven interventions with young men and boys. The results were dramatic: men thoughtfully engaged in discussions, role-playing, and games about gender issues. The MAP workshops created real change in participant’s attitudes toward women. Furthermore, as a gender-related HIV awareness and support program, it is the first of its kind in Asia.

Men Today, Men Tomorrow
Indian entertainment star Jaaved Jaffri hosts this short film, which uses interviews with HIV-positive men and their families to illustrate how EngenderHealth’s Men As Partners® in Positive Prevention program supports men in preventing HIV transmission.

CHAMPION Project Launches in Tanzania

What can communities do to help men become part of the solution for healthier families? These and other questions were debated at the launch of the EngenderHealth-led CHAMPION Project in Tanzania on February 17. More than 170 guests gathered at the Mövenpick Hotel in Dar es Salaam for the interactive event. The five-year CHAMPION Project, supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), inspires men to become partners and leaders in combating some of the most serious reproductive health challenges in Tanzania, including HIV and AIDS.

“Men have long been acknowledged as providers, central players in the community, and on the world stage. But far less attention has been paid to men’s roles in promoting the health of the family.”
–Robert Cunnane, Director of the USAID Mission in Tanzania

Each invitation for the launch had the message “Be part of the solution” and a puzzle piece, which attendees were asked to bring to the event. At the launch, the puzzle was completed and revealed a photo of a male champion, a man who had taken an active, positive role in promoting health in his family and community. The completed puzzle illustrates that it takes a community to create champions. Other such champions were featured in a photo exhibition spread throughout the venue.

Officiating at the event, the Honorable Samwel Sitta, Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly, noted that harmful gender stereotypes had greatly affected the country’s health systems and the health of individual citizens, accelerating the HIV epidemic.

Other attendees included Robert Cunnane, USAID Mission Director in Tanzania; Fatma Hadfidh Mrisho, Executive Chairman of the Tanzania Commission on AIDS; other government officials; and representatives of the donor community and religious organizations.

Remorseful father fights to stop rape

Several media outlets have covered the personal transformation of Dumisani Rebombo, Senior Program Coordinator for EngenderHealth’s Men As Partners® program in South Africa, most recently the Toronto Star (quoted below) and the Huffington Post.

“Dumisani Rebombo is protective of his daughters. He wants them to be happy and marry men who treat them well. It's a dream most fathers have, but not an easy one to accomplish in South Africa. According to the country's Commission on Gender Equality, a woman is raped every 17 seconds. Rebombo knows this too well. That's why he wants to make sure his daughters don't meet someone like his younger self. "In my youth, my friends and I, we gang-raped a girl in the village where I was growing up," he says.”

Read the rest of the article.