Men As Partners (MAP) Workshops

MAP uses programmatic strategies at many levels to effect changes in men’s attitudes, values and practices. These levels include: workshops aimed at changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviour; mobilising men to take action in their own communities; collaborating closely with other non-governmental organisations to build their capacity to implement equivalent MAP programmes and advocating for increased governmental commitment to promoting positive male involvement.

MAP workshops encourage men to reflect on the ways in which they, too, are affected by men’s violence against women, on how they are affected by the pain of by victims they know and care about, their daughters, mothers, sisters, friends, and colleagues. They are also given the opportunity to consider the ways in which they, and men in general, are cast as potential perpetrators and have their relationships with intimate partners and acquaintances infused with fear and distrust by women’s potentially pervasive fear of violence. In workshops and community activities, MAP helps men to see that while the use of violence and the domination of women may grant some men a fleeting sense of power, the values and attitudes endorsing this behaviour may produce men who are disconnected from their own humanity, isolated andon a self-destructive quest to prove their manhood.

Since its inception, the MAP programme conducted educational workshops with groups of men and mixed-sex groups in a wide variety of settings such as workplaces, trade unions, prisons, military bases, faith-based organisations, community halls and youth clubs. Workshops are carried out with various groups of men and mixed-sex audiences over a period of four-five days. The process employed is participatory and non-directive, acknowledging the experiences that all participants bring with them. The approach is built on principles of adult learning that explore participants’ values about gender, traditional gender roles, power dynamics that exist based on gender, gender stereotypes, and male and female perspectives on gender. All of the activities strive to increase men’s awareness of the inequities that exist between men and women. They also allow an opportunity to share progressive views of gender relations in an environment that is safe and supportive.

Information on HIV/AIDS prevention, healthy relationships, sexual rights, sexual violence, and domestic violence follows the initial activities and the exercises on these health issues constantly refer back to the subject of gender. For example, an activity about HIV/AIDS will explore the ways in which gender roles can increase the likelihood that men engage in unsafe sex or deter men from playing an active role in caring for and supporting those who are left chronically ill by HIV/AIDS. Facilitators use role-play to examine men’s attitudes towards health-seeking behaviour and challenge the notion that a “real man” only uses health services when he’s already seriously ill. Using interactive gender values clarification activities, workshop participants share and discuss their attitudes towards family planning, antenatal care and parenting, and examine the ways in which gender roles restrict the choices available to both men and women. A common question that workshop facilitators ask during the discussion of any activity is, “How does this issue affect men and women differently?”

Gender, Health, HIV/AIDS, Women, Rights.

MAP was developed by EngenderHealth in 1996 and launched in South Africa with Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa (PPASA) in 1998. In 2004, the MAP network included nearly 50 organisations in Gauteng, the Western and Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, as well as an international initiative. The purpose of the MAP programme was defined in two ways: to challenge the attitudes, values and behaviours of men that compromise their own health and safety as well as the health and safety of women and children; and to encourage men to become actively involved in preventing gender-based violence as well as in HIV/AIDS-related prevention, care and support activities.

The workshops are carried out by a cadre of intensively, well-trained MAP educators from an extensive network of partner non-governmental organisations,community-based organisations, and governmental organisations. The organisers believe that the importance of adequate training cannot be understated. In order to facilitate MAP workshops effectively, educators must be well prepared to challenge harmful attitudes that condone violence and the oppression of women.

Recruitment strategies for MAP workshops vary, since some workshops are carried out with participants in workplace settings or prisons, while for others outreach workers and peer educators from MAP partners organisations invite volunteers to convene at a particular site in a community. The workshops are carried out over a period of five days and entail a total of 35 hours of educational activities. The number of MAP workshop participants varies, but ideally consists of about 20 participants.

Each day focuses on a particular theme. Day One looks at the gender socialisation process and power imbalances between men and women. Day Two examines how gender issues impact sexuality, parenting, and relationships between the sexes. Day Three looks at the intersection between gender socialisation, health seeking behaviours, and HIV/AIDS transmission. Day Four focuses on domestic and sexual violence. The final day focuses on ways that men can redefine masculinity and play an active role in their communities to address gender inequality, responsible fatherhood, HIV/AIDS, and gender-based violence.