:
Senegal’s Role in Promoting Positive Masculinity and Reproductive Health
Senegal is actively involved in a United Nations-backed initiative called “schools for husbands” to promote “positive masculinity” in health and social issues [[1]]. This program, launched in 2011, has gained attention from Senegal’s ministry of Women, Family, Gender and Child protection as an effective strategy to combat maternal and infant mortality [[2]] [[3]].
The initiative involves training respected male community members to discuss gender and reproductive health, including gender-based violence and HIV stigma, during sermons and community discussions .The goal is to encourage men to be more involved in household responsibilities and support women’s access to healthcare, including family planning, prenatal care, and hospital deliveries .
The program has shown positive results, with some men reporting changes in behavior and increased support for their wives’ health decisions .Similar initiatives have been implemented in other African countries like Niger, togo, and Burkina Faso, leading to improved access to reproductive health services and increased contraceptive use .