Are men missing in gender and health programmes? An analysis of the Malawi human rights resource center, a non-governmental organisation in Malawi.
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Date
2010
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Abstract
Literature has shown that the involvement of men in gender and health programmes
remains unclear on the ground (Esplen, 2006:1; Rivers and Aggleton, 1999:2-3). This has
been happening in the midst of claims to have moved from the Women in Development
to the Gender and Development framework which calls for the involvement of men in
gender and development work. Furthermore, it has been argued that where literature
exists, the work is generally based on studies done in developed countries and the
relevance of such findings to the developing world still remains unclear (Abraham,
Jewkes, Hoffman and Laubsher, 2004:330; Connell, 1987:235-236). This study therefore
attempts to fill this gap by looking at the work of the Malawi Human Rights Resource
Center, one of the non-governmental organisations working on gender and health
programmes in Malawi. A qualitative approach was used. Six project staff and eighteen
project beneficiaries were interviewed to assess their perceptions and experiences.
The study found out that men involvement continues to be minimal and unclear in gender
and health programmes. Although there is awareness of the importance of men’s
involvement this was not implemented effectively. The few men that were involved
continue to be intimidated and humiliated by both men and women. The issues of
masculinities and patriarchal also continue to shape gender inequalities in the area under
study. All these discourage most men from active participation in such work.
Furthermore, the few that are involved meet a number of barriers which deter them from
greater involvement. Such barriers according to this study include, among other things,
cultural barriers, lack of men’s own space where they can discuss their own gender
related issues, the view held by some gender activists that gender is equal to women’s
issues and men resistance to change considering the benefits accrued by being men. All
these have impacted on the way people, especially men, view gender and health
programmes. The study further found that although men are regarded as the main
perpetrators of violence, not all men are as such, some do acknowledge the effects of the
practise. Furthermore, some men also do experience violence. According to the study
findings, this is an area which has also continued to be overlooked by most
developmental agencies. In Malawi, this is also exacerbated by the fact that there are no
specific programmes that target men’s welfare.
Nevertheless, the study argues that men’s involvement is crucial in gender and health
work. In areas where men were involved positive indicators were noted and reported. The
indicators include improved communication within most families, peaceful family coexistence,
happy families and changes in sexual behaviour. All these give hope regarding
the reduction of HIV/AIDS and development as a whole. This suggests that where gender
equality is to be achieved, men need to be actively involved, both as partners and victim
of gender and health related violence. When implementing such programme, there is also
need to acknowledge that not all men are violent, some are actually willing to join the
fight against the malpractice.
Description
Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.
Keywords
Health promotion--Malawi., Human rights--Malawi., Sex discrimination against men--Malawi., Non-governmental organisations--Malawi., Theses--Development studies.