Questioning gender norms with men to improve health outcomes: Evidence of impact

Abstract

This article describes a review of 58 evaluation studies of programmes with men and boys in sexual and reproductive health (including HIV prevention, treatment, care and support); father involvement; gender-based violence; maternal, newborn and child health; and gender socialisation more broadly. While few of the programmes go beyond the pilot stage, or a relatively short-term timeframe, they offer compelling evidence that well-designed programmes with men and boys can lead to positive changes in their behaviours and attitudes related to sexual and reproductive health; maternal, newborn and child health; their interaction with their children; their use of violence against women; their questioning of violence with other men; and their health-seeking behaviour. The evidence indicates that programmes that incorporate a gender-transformative approach and promote gender-equitable relationships between men and women are more effective in producing behaviour change than narrowly focused interventions, as are programmes which reach beyond the individual level to the social context.

The role of feminine and masculine norms in college women’s alcohol use.

“…Accordingly, clinicians may be able to help female clients consider how their gender norm endorsement affects their health, or even incorporate a gender-transformative approach within therapy. Indeed, research has pointed to the efficacy of gender-specific interventions in changing health-related behaviors and outcomes (Barker et al, 2010). Emerging research suggests that gender-based interventions that challenge norms which induce negative health outcomes, can be both efficacious and avoid reinforcement of harmful The present study sought to understand how both masculine and feminine norms may influence underage women's drinking behaviors and outcomes.…”

“…Just as individuals learn and internalize gender norms, they can also question and reject them, particularly those norms that predispose people to negative health outcomes or risky behaviors (Barker et al, 2010). Accordingly, clinicians may be able to help female clients consider how their gender norm endorsement affects their health, or even incorporate a gender-transformative approach within therapy.…”

Measuring the Global Burden of Disease

“…In studies in Myanmar, up to 38% of the people who inject drugs have tested HIV-positive; this is estimated to be 30%-50% in Th ailand and more than half in parts of Indonesia (41,45,46). In Viet Nam, between 32% and 58% of people who inject drugs are living with HIV in various provinces (47)(48)(49). In China, an estimated 7%-13% of the people who inject drugs are living with HIV (40).…”

HIV and gender-based violence: welcome policies and programmes, but is the research keeping up?

“…[37][38][39] There is widespread recognition of the gender-related dynamics between violence and HIV for key populations, including in regard to the issue of gender identity and behaviour conflicting with gender norms. 12,19,34 Over time, several initiatives have produced guidelines on how to integrate violence-related services into relevant HIV programmes and services, 10,40 highlighting the gender-related stigma, discrimination and threat of violence that people living with HIV may face from service providers as well as the greater community. 41 In addition to the threat of violence because of HIV status, initiatives have focused on violence as an HIV prevention issue, seeking to address the ways in which violence and associated negative gender norms increase vulnerability to HIV infection.…”

“…7 Along these lines, there is programmatic evidence that gender-sensitive and transformative HIV and anti-violence interventions with heterosexually active men are more efficacious than gender-neutral programmes. [11][12][13] Such programmes attempt to modify narrow and constraining aspects of hegemonic male norms in order to reduce HIV risk for both women and men. These programmes also attempt to democratize relationships between women and men, in the direction of more gender equality.…”