MALE RESPONSIBILITY

MALE RESPONSIBILITY

AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

The spread of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, as well as unplanned pregnancies, have negative social, environmental, economic and health effects which impact all the community. Men’s sexual behaviour is an important factor in these effects. They must take responsibility for reproductive health as well.

Reproductive health and gender in the Pacific

Reproductive health is seen as a woman’s responsibility, so services are directed at women, reducing men’s participation.
Services for men are limited, and they lack detailed information, leading to low usage of the two male methods available – condoms and vasectomy.

Why men need to share responsibility for Reproductive Health in the Pacific

Men transmit STI including HIV/AIDS to women more efficiently than vice versa. They are in a far better position to slow the spread of STI and HIV/AIDS.

Couples use male contraceptive methods that require male cooperation.

There is little communication about reproductive health between couples, and men often decide how many children their partner will have or oppose a woman’s efforts at family planning.

Men's decisions and actions, before, during and after women/s pregnancy and delivery, often make the difference between illness and health, and life and death.

Barriers to changing responsibility for Reproductive Health in the Pacific

Pacific cultures which value large families

Health services which only target women, reinforcing the view of women as child-bearers and carers.

Men’s access to reproductive health services has been limited; and their role in the family and community often discourages them from seeking reproductive health information.

Domestic violence, which is linked to more rigid gender roles.

Promoting men’s shared responsibility for reproductive health

Portrayal of positive models of relationships between fathers and their partners and children can be used to promote social and cultural change.

Formal and non-formal education must promote shared responsibilities by encouraging male and female students of all ages to challenge stereotypes of tough, aggressive males.

Reproductive health services must be directed at men as well as women.

Women’s roles within the family must be valued, to encourage men to take equal responsibility for their children

The media can assist positive social change by questioning these social and cultural barriers and stereotypes, and by portraying positive models of shared responsibility.

Contact:SPC Population and Reproductive Health Advocacy Projects, Suva, Fiji Islands.

United Nations Population Fund: http://www.unfpa.org

Check out SPC’s Reproductive Health Links, on http://www.spc.int/rh