Resources: gender

Yaari Dosti: young men redefine masculinity

Yaari Dosti: young men redefine masculinity. A training manual, Population Council, 2006

This manual was designed to promote gender equality and to address masculinity for HIV prevention in the Indian context, but its content is easily adaptable to other social and cultural realities and in fact the authors invite users to adapt examples and discussions to different contexts.

The decision to focus on young men is based on the fact that men are essential allies to achieve gender equality. In addition, young men are particularly at risk of HIV and more likely than women to infect other people (young men generally have more sexual partners than women, and, because of biological reasons, virus transmission is easier for them).

This manual includes activities developed and tested with groups of 15 to 30 men to discuss four broad themes, namely gender, sexual and reproductive health, violence and HIV. Very useful examples of discussion questions, issues to focus on and tips for facilitators are provided, in order to guide the discussion on many gender stereotypes and assumed men’s vulnerabilities. For example, some of the issues discussed are: beliefs and attitudes related to sexuality, communication within the couple, risky behaviours, sexual violence, HIV awareness, division of household cores, and care for one’s own body and health.

© 2009 People and Development.