Sustained male involvement in family life

Mozambique

Gender Equality

Human Rights & Civ. Soc.

Problem & Solution

In rural communities in Chimoio, women usually don't receive support or attention from their partners and machismo prevails. Women have the role of bearing children, cooking and going to the fields.
Challenges include men not accompanying their partners to health centres, issues related to gender-based violence and excessive workloads.

The solution was to promote a change in behaviour and attitudes from the beginning, specifically aimed at encouraging the involvement of the young father or partner during pregnancy, primary education and postnatal maternal care.

The experience

The newly introduced "Curriculum for us and our first baby" had following characteristics:

activists underwent training to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills
a series of nine sessions were held at 15-day intervals with the active participation of women, men, girls and boys, promoting a collaborative and inclusive learning environment
recognition and awards for outstanding young couples and for the collective achievements of the participants, reinforcing the participatory nature of the whole process

Challenges

The challenge is to reach out to all the young couples in each community where we operate and encouraging the trainees to respond

Impact

Sustained male involvement in family lifegood baby care
Knowledge about how to prevent STIs, less domestic violence, adherence to consensual planning between husband and wife, husband allows wife to go back to school (all this used to be taboo)

Lessons Learned

Considering the specificities of the community and incorporating local cultural elements
Maintaining an inclusive approach, involving all age groups and genders
Adjusting strategies based on feedback and the changing of local dynamics