For decades, the global women’s rights movement has primarily focused on empowering women through education, access to health care, and leadership opportunities. But change is brewing in Senegal: men are being taught to be advocates and allies of gender equality.
Redefining Partnership and Power
In Senegal’s various communities, local organizations are engaging husbands and male leaders to challenge long-standing gender mores. In workshops and open discussions, men learn about shared decision-making, family planning, mutual respect in marriage, and other related subjects. The objective is not to diminish the male role, but to define partnership freshly to develop homes where opportunities and responsibilities are equal.
Health and Community as Centerpieces
One of the most important transformations characteristic of this initiative is evident in women’s health. When men learn the importance of maternal health care, reproductive health, and education for girls, whole families benefit. Husbands who resisted family planning, restricted their wives’ mobility, etc., are now bringing their wives to clinic visits and encouraging their daughters to remain in school.
A Model for Change
This effort recognizes that gender equity is not achievable by women alone, men must be involved in the change, too. In imbuing caring, respect, and teamwork, Senegal is demonstrating how forward movement occurs when both genders work together.
This model can broaden itself in its outreach, and it provides a hopeful reminder: the solution for women’s advancement may in fact not be conflict, but communication and men’s desire to support the changes necessary to obtain that goal.
