Men’s Involvement in a Parenting Programme to Reduce Child Maltreatment and Gender-Based Violence: Formative Evaluation in Uganda

Abstract

Parenting programmes involving fathers can reduce child maltreatment and gender-based violence. However, most parenting programmes find it difficult to recruit fathers. We piloted a 21 session parenting intervention, ‘Parenting for Respectability’, with fathers and mothers near Kampala, Uganda. Sixty-one fathers and 83 mothers were recruited initially and 52 fathers and 76 mothers retained to the end. We interviewed with 24 fathers and 16 mothers. Data were analysed thematically. Success in involving fathers was probably due to (a) the first 10 sessions being father-only, allowing them to share experiences before participating in mixed-sex sessions; (b) exploiting men’s pre-existing motivation to improve their children’s behaviour, thereby enhancing family respectability; and (c) the interactive, participatory delivery. Mixed sessions enabled couples to clarify conflicting perspectives regarding spousal relationships and gendered norms. However, men experienced social pressure to conform to conventional masculinity, suggesting the need to instil intervention values at community level.

Promoting women’s and children’s health through community groups in low-income and middle-income countries: a mixed-methods systematic review of mechanisms, enablers and barriers

“…However, quantitative evaluation of the same intervention showed a non-significant increase,72 while two quantitative studies of participatory women’s groups found little evidence for impact on household agency 81 82. A qualitative study of an intervention to engage fathers in group discussion found that it actually entrenched patriarchal norms by encouraging husbands to police their wives’ behaviour in accordance with advice from facilitators 54. We found no study linking women’s position in the household to health outcomes or behaviours in an intervention context.…”

“…Group deliberation : Qualitative evidence indicated that group members frequently shared in meetings experiences, concerns and opinions about both their own health issues and wider problems in the community,37 48–55 a process that might facilitate the development of critical consciousness 37. It might also help group members pool individual pieces of knowledge into a more accurate, collective understanding of health53 and decide on and plan solution strategies 48 56…”

“…Informal information sharing : Multiple qualitative studies found that group members shared information and advice with other members and their wider social network 30 37 44 46 48 54 57–61. In quantitative studies, over 90% of community members reported receiving health information from a group member,57 and over 90% of group members shared health information with others 58 62.…”

“…Supportive pre-existing health beliefs, attitudes and norms : Studies of interventions to prevent violence against women reported that pre-existing beliefs and attitudes to marriage and masculinity affected men’s motivation to participate in group meetings, engage in bystander intervention and allow their wives to participate 54 58 59. Stigma associated with participation in group meetings was also found to reduce group attendance 68 69 83.…”

What Affects Attendance and Engagement in a Parenting Program in South Africa?

“…This likely has to do with the social norms of women bearing the responsibility for childcare. Engaging men in parenting interventions requires a conscious effort in program design and delivery, such as drawing on specific motivations for fathers (Siu et al 2017 ). In addition, children attended more sessions than caregivers, but had a lower average engagement in sessions, perhaps due to the cultural norms mandating that children show respect to elders.…”