The Role of Men in Achieving Gender Equality and Promoting Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health: The Case of Hiwot Ethiopia

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Date

2009-06

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This study is conducted on a small indigenous organization called Hiwot Ethiopia, who aims to achieve gender equality and promote ASRH by focusing on men. The main objective of the study is to view the role of these men/boys practitioners who actively participate in the project serving as mediators between the organization and the beneficiaries to achieve the objective of the project. The role of men practitioners in the project is evaluated in this study, through their pelformances and activities that they have conducted through out the project cycle. To conduct the study, both qualitative and quantitative methodologies are employed. Accordingly, questionnaire is distributed to the total population of 60 practitioners, while interview is conducted with 31 men practitioners of the project. Moreover, 10 women practitioners have participated in focus group discussion, while additional in-depth interview is conducted with 4 purposely selected staff of the organization. Findings of the study show that, only few of these men participated during the problem identification, while none of them took part in designing the project. However, it is noted practitioners are highly involved in implementing and conducting M&E in the project. In addition, it is learnt through the study that the organization involves young boys and parents in coffee ceremony discussions, edutainment programs and different discussion sessions, so as the issue of sexual reproductive health, masculinity, femininity and gender inequality are addressed and communicated to the beneficiaries. However, there are certain weaknesses observed during this study that should be addressed by the organization to strengthen the participation of these men so as to achieve gender equality and promote ASRH. In order to run the program effectively and to increase the commitment of the practitioners, it is recommended that the organization needs to allocate enough budget, in addition it needs to monitor and observe the pelformance of the practitioners more closely so as to enhance their contribution in attaining what is required.

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Role of Men in, Achieving Gender Equality

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