 |
|
Men receiving condoms. Courtesy L. Lartigue /
USAID in Africa Photo Gallery. |
Background
Botswana has one of the worst HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world. There are many reasons for this, but men's attitudes and behaviours are among the most significant. Men are brought up to believe that they are superior to women. Having sex with many women is often seen as a way to be a 'real man'. Men believe that they are entitled to sex with women but that family planning is the woman's responsibility. Men are hardly ever seen at the clinics with their children, wives or families, and do not usually belong to any club or society that addresses social issues related to health.
"Feeling Left Out"
But some men also report feeling 'left out' of sexual health matters and want to be more involved. Men get few opportunities to talk about their questions and concerns about sex. Yet when asked, men have many anxieties, often relating to sexual performance (for example, penis size, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation). The pressure on men to prove themselves through sex is rarely discussed. Sex between men is a taboo subject.
Men, Sex and AIDS
The Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) began its Men, Sex and AIDS Project in 1997 to respond to this situation. Since the BNYC opened in 1996, it has concentrated its efforts on youth empowerment. Its mission is 'to empower young people through a coordinated range of programmes, in pursuit of the stated goals and objectives of the National Youth Policy'. HIV/AIDS poses perhaps the most serious threat to the development and empowerment of young people in Botswana, and thus has become an important focus of BNYC's work.
Programme Objectives
BNYC decided to target this work at men because of the central role they play in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana. The objectives are to:
- Educate men about HIV/AIDS and safer sex
- Talk with men about their sexual behaviour and sexuality more broadly
- Assess the needs of young men in relation to decreasing the rate of HIV/AIDS infections
- Develop strategies, networks and methods of fieldwork to reach more men with a more comprehensive programme addressing their needs.
Target Group
BNYC works with men between the ages of 14 and 49 years. The project targets men from different economic backgrounds, in both urban and rural areas. A lot of attention has been given to school youth. The project states clearly that it works with men of all sexual orientations. The project seeks to work with men in social settings, such as bars, nightclubs, sports fields and so on. It also targets men in a range of institutions, such as prisons, the armed forces, private companies and schools. The project works both with men at the grassroots level and with men in leadership. Below are some observations made by
men:
"I do not expect for my wife to be my equal. Men and women are simply not equal; the man is the head of the house and he has the final say when it comes to issues of the house, including family
planning." - 50-year-old married man
"I have had more than one sexual partner. Women love me and love that I have money. But I think that as of this day on, you need to help me to stay focused because I really want to break up with all these girls and have one steady
partner." - 30-year-old workshop participant; now an active member of 'Men, Sex and AIDS'
Strategies
The approach of the project is to focus on male sexuality rather than just HIV/AIDS education, emphasising the importance of dialogue between friends and partners. Strategies include:
Outreach work: Skilled fieldworkers make contact with men within their social networks. They provide men with information on sexual health and HIV/AIDS, and distribute condoms. They also open up discussions with men about sex and sexuality.
Group work: The project runs about one workshop a month. The aim is to train men to take on active roles in the fight against HIV; this includes running workshops on gender, sexuality and HIV/AIDS for other men in their social networks. Workshops have been targeted at different kinds of men (such as the unemployed, men in the workplace, men in the armed or police forces) and are held in venues close to these men. They usually last three to three-and-a-half days and include a range of interactive methods.
Community mobilisation: The project supports local groups of men to organise themselves. They are responsible for mobilising men in their area, sharing information, distributing condoms and participating in HIV/AIDS-awareness activities. These groups draw men from workplaces, the armed or police forces, the unemployed, schools and so on.
Recreational activities: The project runs a variety of recreational activities, especially with young people. These include sponsored walks, f?es and indoor soccer. When necessary, the project brings in outside experts to help with these activities. Radio and local newspapers, as well as pamphlets and letters, are used to attract men to such events.
Promotional events: Project staff participate actively in HIV/AIDS-related events; for example, World AIDS Day, Month of Youth against AIDS and Condom Week.
Service referrals: The project gets a number of requests for legal assistance from the men with whom it works. Rather than provide legal services directly, the project works in partnership with a local human rights organisation (Ditshwanelo) to provide any legal or human rights services that are required. The project also partners with the local HIV testing centre, PSI (a condom social marketing organisation), Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) and the Coping Centre for People Living With AIDS (COCEPWA).
Positive Response
The response from individuals and institutions has been very positive. The project gets an overwhelming number of invitations to address people at various places of work, schools, the University of Botswana, the armed forces and so on. The number of men's groups has grown around the country in the past five years. There are about 10 groups around the country. A lot of men approach the office to volunteer their services.
Men report a number of changes in sexual attitudes and behaviour. These include: men who claim to have reduced the number of their sexual partners; men who say they appreciate the condom more; and men who say they have changed their sexual 'ways' since they have understood sexuality better, and now appreciate themselves and
their partners more
Lessons Learned
Men are willing to learn more about themselves as men, their sexuality and how it can influence their lives and relationships. Given the opportunity, men are willing to learn from each other's experiences.
Men need accurate information on all aspects of sexuality and a chance to ask questions and discuss concerns.
In order to encourage men to talk about issues of sexuality and gender, it is important to be open, talk about your own experiences and how you feel about discussing these issues.
Helping men to feel comfortable is essential. It helps to get men to appreciate that sex is natural.
Working with many older men or men with strong religious beliefs is a challenge because of their preconceived ideas. The best way is to listen and learn from them, and adapt your information and message based on what they have to say. This is better than trying to change their beliefs, because this will meet with resistance. Workshops are not a platform for challenging beliefs but for imparting knowledge and, where appropriate, sharing experiences.
Funding proved to be the biggest problem for many of the recreational activities that the project wanted to carry out. In raising money for recreational activities, it is essential to make clear how these activities contribute to the goals and objectives of the project.
Contact information:
Botswana National Youth Council
Mail P/Bag BO108, Gaborone,
Botswana
Phone: + 267 322 110
Fax: + 267 580 898
E-mail mohumi@hotmail.com,
tthahane@yahoo.com
* From "Supporting Community Action on AIDS in Developing
Countries"; an e- publication of International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Download PDF
version [66Kb]
Back to main page
|
