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Working
with men in responding to HIV and AIDS through redefining masculinities
and ending violence against women and children
Padare/Enkundleni/Men's
Forum on Gender
October 13, 2010
HIV and AIDS
is one of the most leading causes of deaths that have besieged many
families in Zimbabwe. This is despite the fact that most people
have information on the AIDS pandemic. People are not changing the
contributing toxic behaviours. Harmful gender relations which manifest
themselves in some negative cultural practices and belief systems
have been highlighted as the major contributing factors to the rise
of HIV and AIDS issues (SAfAIDS Report, 2008). For example, in polygamous
relationships men are permitted to have multiple wives, increasing
the probability of exposure to abuses and diseases.
In its on-going
quest for creating a gender just society, Padare/Enkundleni/Men's
Forum on Gender has taken a step in challenging and interrogating
some of the harmful cultural practices in responding to HIV and
AIDS. In so doing it has come up with a National Programme of Redefining
Masculinities working with eight districts in various Provinces
of the country. This programme targets Men and significant stakeholders,
in responding to HIV and AIDS through reflectively redefining masculinities,
ending violence against women and children and promoting positive
fatherhood.
By redefining
masculinities the programme sought to expose men's practises
and explore ways of recognising changing behaviours, attitudes,
practises and beliefs that fuel the spread of HIV and Gender Based
Violence.
Meanwhile, about
240 Padare male activists with high social influence power, in their
different life spheres are being engaged on advocacy skills in the
selected districts. Amongst the identified Padare gender activists
are traditional and religious leaders, teachers, farmers, councillors
and media practitioners. The rationale of this engagement is to
increase the capacity of key opinion leaders in the different districts
to be able to effectively engage men in promoting positive and responsible
fatherhood.
The table below
shows a times schedule of how the programme will be rolled out.
| District
|
Date |
| Bindura
(Mashonaland Central Province) - Hope Humana |
12/10/10 |
| Epworth
(Harare) - Epworth Local Board boardroom |
14/10/10 |
| Rusape
(Manicaland) |
16/10/10 |
| Nyanga
(Manicaland) |
18/10/10 |
| Mutare
(Manicaland) |
20/10/10 |
| Marondera
(Mashonaland East) |
22/10/10 |
| Zvishavane
(Midlands Province) |
25/10/10 |
| Bulawayo
(Bulawayo Province) |
27/10/10 |
We are inviting you to take part in this process by partnering with
us, linking us with your networks in the areas above, providing
information you think is necessary or joining the men's movement
for a gender justice.
Visit the Padare
fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
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