Engaging men in sexual and reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa: Call for research and interventions

Abstract

Several studies have documented the critical roles that men play and can play in reproductive health decision-making in sub-Saharan Africa^1–4.  The patriarchal habituation of many African cultures has been well documented^5–8, which largely explains the propensity for men to dominate discourses relating to sexual and reproductive health at the household level.  Additionally, given the inclination for men to dominate the social and political space across African communities, it makes sense to engage men in efforts to domesticate and institutionalize the practice of sexual and reproductive health in the continent.

The African Journal of Reproductive Health is a key proponent of the doctrine of gender equality as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals and in several international human rights documents^9–11 and has featured several articles and editorials that promote this endearing principle^12–16. Sexual and reproductive health is a fundamental human right and all persons regardless of their sex or social status are entitled to the enjoyment of their right to choice on sexual and reproductive matters.  However, this journal has noticed the relative lack of data that build evidence for the engagement of men on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), especially those that elicit notions and beliefs about gender equality. While it is evident that gender equality might be difficult to attain without the involvement of men, it is worrisome that very limited documentation of male involvement and interventions to proactively and constructively engage men in sexual and reproductive health has ever been undertaken in the African continent.