Engaging Boys in Gender Equality Efforts

A recent report by UNICEF has found that nearly three in five boys in Eastern and Southern Africa hold at least one harmful attitude about power and relationships between men and women by the age of 13. The report, which analyzed data from nearly 5,000 adolescent boys and young men aged 13 to 24 across Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, highlights the need for early intervention to promote healthy attitudes and prevent harmful gender norms from becoming entrenched. The findings suggest that boys who endorsed more harmful attitudes were more likely to report behaviors linked to increased HIV and STI risk.

The report's authors, Nicholas Niwagaba, Luciana Leite, and Samuel Nyoni, emphasize that engaging boys in efforts to promote gender equality is not about shifting attention away from girls, but rather about recognizing that many of the forces harming girls are the same ones shaping boys. They argue that transforming these norms requires working with both boys and girls. The report found that boys who held harmful attitudes were more likely to experience mental distress, sexual violence, and intimate partner violence, and were also more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence themselves.

The UNICEF report highlights the importance of intervening early, before harmful attitudes become deeply entrenched. The authors suggest that programs that show promise tend to share several characteristics, including starting early, creating safe spaces for boys to reflect and question assumptions, and providing opportunities for boys to practice different behaviors. They also emphasize the need to engage parents, teachers, coaches, faith leaders, and communities in shaping social norms and promoting healthy attitudes.

The report's findings are supported by research from various programs across the region, including Uganda's Gender Roles, Equality and Transformations (GREAT) program and South Africa's Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health among Adolescents in Southern and Eastern Africa (PREPARE) intervention. These programs have demonstrated that healthier, more equitable attitudes can be fostered when young people, families, and communities create safe spaces to break down taboos.

The authors argue that engaging boys in efforts to promote gender equality is critical to achieving positive health outcomes and preventing violence. They suggest that boys are often socialized to believe that vulnerability is a sign of weakness, and that seeking help should be avoided. However, these attitudes are not innate and can be changed through intentional interventions.

The report's authors emphasize that gender equality cannot be achieved by choosing between girls and boys, but rather by changing the norms and power relations shaping their lives. They argue that if we want different outcomes for girls, we have to pay attention to what boys are learning too. The report's findings highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to promoting healthy attitudes and preventing harmful gender norms.

Ultimately, the report's authors argue that it is essential to engage boys and men in efforts to promote gender equality and prevent violence. They suggest that this can be achieved through a range of interventions, including school and community discussions, parenting programs, and broad transformative approaches. By working together, it is possible to create a more equitable and just society for all.

Key points

• Engaging boys in efforts to promote gender equality is critical to achieving positive health outcomes and preventing violence.