Men As Partners in HIV Prevention (MAP)

MAP reaches out to men and women in communities on issues including gender equity, reproductive health, relationships, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), domestic violence, and sexual violence. MAP uses life skills workshops, professional training, and educational materials -through a network of 25 organisations - to create awareness and facilitate attitudinal and behavioural change among programme participants.

To launch the project, focus group discussions were conducted in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Free State province on the issues of gender equity and violence against women. Based on information from these discussion groups, organisers developed a training manual for PPASA educators to conduct educational workshops with groups of men in a variety of settings (such as workplaces, trade unions, prisons, faith-based organisations, community halls, and sporting arenas). Typically a week long and often residential, workshops address the complexities of how gender roles affect men's lives. Though the programme is for men, women are welcome to attend the workshops, which focus on violence, sexual and reproductive health, parenting, support and care for people living with AIDS, and men's roles and responsibilities.

The activities in the manual are designed to increase men's and women's awareness and to promote discussion. Interactive methodologies are designed to help participants examine their beliefs on various issues and consider alternative perspectives. Some of the methodologies include: values clarification exercises; games; role playing exercises; small-group discussions; case stories; videos; documentaries; and story telling. Workshops emphasise day-to-day strategies men can use to promote gender equity and positive male involvement.

The workshops are designed to, first, use a human rights framework to increase men's awareness of how contemporary gender roles mirror power inequalities associated with the apartheid struggle. A second workshop strategy to show men the price they pay for the benefits and privileges they enjoy because of existing gender constructs (such as the repercussions they face for not being responsible and the sense in which violence toward women may provide only a fleeting sense of power. Third, the workshops try to help men see women's perspectives on a variety of issues, as well as to recognise the media's tendency to project a false notion of masculinity and chauvinism.

The participatory activities can be used in both urban and rural environments and in both community and workplace settings. The MAP programme can be adapted for various audiences including adolescents, adults, parent groups, and professionals.

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