FRONTIERS Projects | Testing the Effectiveness of Community-based Strategies in Reducing Gender-based Violence and in Promoting Positive Male Involvement in Reproductive Health Activities

FRONTIERS PROJECT
Testing the Effectiveness of Community-based Strategies in Reducing Gender-based Violence and in Promoting Positive Male Involvement in Reproductive Health Activities

FRONTIERS collaborated with EngenderHealth's Men as Partners (MAP) program and HOPE worldwide on research aimed at integrating concerns about gender, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and violence into reproductive health programs. The research identified and documented the factors associated with gender-based violence in the specific sociocultural and socioeconomic context. The project provided program managers, policymakers, and donors with information to guide integrated gender and reproductive health programs and policies. An assessment was conducted of the effectiveness of male involvement in behavior-change communication strategies, including changing men's gender attitudes and behaviors; changing aspects of gender dynamics in relationships; reducing gender-based violence and STI, HIV, and unwanted pregnancy risk behaviors at the community level; and increasing male involvement in prevention of gender-based violence and in HIV prevention, care, and support activities.

Results from the baseline survey of 920 men and 1,589 women show that close to a third (29 percent) of the men had been tested for HIV, and that 84 percent of men and 85 percent of women had discussed the results with their partners. In addition, nine out of 10 men encouraged their pregnant partners to seek antenatal care, though just 56 percent of the men had accompanied their partners to clinics.

Location

Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa

Duration

January 2004–December 2006

Population Council researcher

Saiqa Mullick

Non-Council collaborators

Community Agency for Social Enquiry (CASE)

EngenderHealth's Men as Partners (MAP) Program

HOPE worldwide

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources
Council researchers' names appear in boldface type.

2007
Ditlopo, Prudence, Saiqa Mullick, Ian Askew, Ricardo Vernon, Edwin Maroga, Sgidi Sibeko, Mokgethi Tshabalala, Rabbuh Raletsemo, Dean Peacock, and Andrew Levack. "Testing the effectiveness of the Men as Partners program (MAP) in Soweto, South Africa,” FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF, 609 KB)