Kenya - Male engagement in Promoting Empowerment of Women Workers

Hello Joan

I wonder if a strategy might be to utilize 'nudge theory'?

The nudge would comprise an easy to use conceptual framework that provides a tool even when comprehensive literacy in the 3Rs might be challenged.

There are some gender-based issues in proposing a tool for reflection and analysis but this is the heart of your question in - "Male engagement".

Males will probably be keen to demonstrate their ability to use a tool like Hodges' model.

This is even as the model in fact provides a gender-neutral cognitive space around which individual and group discussion, reflection, exploration, argumentation (not argument) and collaboration can take place.

Your question also has implications in integrating the SDGs (including identity and gender issues) which I have also been considering.

I have a draft of 1500 words on the SDGs and Hodges' model if anyone is able to please provide some feedback?

I hope this is of help.

Kind regards,

Peter Jones
Community Mental Health Nurse & Researcher
CMHT Brookside
Aughton Street
Ormskirk L39 3BH, UK
Blogging at "Welcome to the QUAD"
http://hodges-model.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/h2cm

Joan, I am on the same page with you. Social dominance of men over women dates back to antiquity. In some ethnic groups in Ghana where I live, it seems quite impossible for women to have a say in anything concerning their own health and development. I suggest, and as informed by principles of social change, that addressing the challenges of women empowerment should be expected to be gradual and over a long period of time. There are several evidence in some communities, mostly in developed countries where gender equality is making strides. As you rightly said, involving men, the men who have power is a necessary step to empowering the less powerful, the women. The good news in my work is that, at least we have a starting point; Men who are more educated are our number one stakeholders. They are more likely to support the course. I am looking forward to learning more about what you have to tell the audience soon. Good work done and I wish you all the best.

Every target group whether men or women, boys or girls has its comfort zone. Knowing where the zone is, what happen in those zones and the implication of what happens on issues of concern to the intervening organisation is very important. While targeting men, we should not only be concerned with where they are alone. It is not all location that is appropriate for reaching them. Profiling eah of these locations will go a long way in meeting them not only where they are but where they could access SBCC information and services. Apart from that, it is very easy to get banana off one monkey by using another monkey. Men must not only be receivers of services but must be mobilised and empowered to become service providers. Communities with few men in the development sector may need to get more men on the field to fastrack effective male involvement.   

In agreement with your point.

There is a need for intentional inclusion of men from the start to the end of the project. That way, they will feel part and parcel of your intervention and in oder to empower women, we need their men to dialogue and lead the way in supporting them acheive social economic empowerment.

To Nasozi, looking forward to seeing you at the Summit. I am from MSI Zimbabwe.  

All the best!

Enock 

No one can downplay the power of SBCC when it comes to the subject of behaviour change at all levels. Health communication is evolving over the years, and the current outcome is SBCC. What works? It is the determination of the appropriate audience, use of multiple channels, catchy messages for the senses, participation, ownership, appreciation of what is relevance.... and all these are built on the works of strategic minds who are able to see from the lenses of the populace. It is therefore important to embrace all ideas geared towards improving communication for healthier living.