Engaging men to improve family health and prevent gender-based violence

The overall goal is to contribute to the improvement of the health of the men, their families and communities. There is increasing recognition in Papua New Guinea (PNG) of the key role men play in health service decision-making, however limited information and/or services appear to be available concerning the specific health needs of men.

Objective

According to focus group discussions facilitated by Burnet with 70 young men in Port Moresby, young men identified a need for more information and or/skills in relation to the following ten priority issues:

• male sexual health
• drugs and alcohol
• gender-based violence
• family planning
• gender
• addressing health care
• peer pressure, leadership and community.

The project has involved the design, testing and production of tool kits for interactive health promotion activities targeting young men, as well as training of trainers.

The activities kit, which includes the facilitator’s guide, fact sheets and a set of physical tools are now being promoted with employers across PNG.