In Senegal’s capital of Dakar, an imam named Ibrahima Diane explains to groups of men why they should be more involved in household chores.
“School for husbands” is a United Nations-backed initiative where respected male community members learn about “positive masculinity” in health and social issues and are encouraged to promote them in their communities.
“The Prophet himself says a man who does not help support his wife and children is not a good Muslim,” the 53-year-old said, as he described bathing his baby and helping his wife with other duties.
In Senegal, as in many other West African countries with large rural or conservative populations, men often have the final say in major household decisions, including ones related to health.
Women may need their permission for life-changing decisions on accessing family planning or other reproductive health services, along with hospital deliveries or prenatal care.
Following his sessions at the school for husbands, Diane regularly holds sermons during Friday prayers where he discusses issues around gender and reproductive health, from gender-based violence to fighting stigma around HIV.
“Many women appreciate my sermons,” he said. “They say their husbands’ behaviour changed since they attended them.” He said some men have told him the sermons inspired them to become more caring husbands and fathers.
Habib Diallo, a 60-year-old former army commando, said attending the sermons and discussions with the imam taught him about the risks of home births.
“When my son’s wife was pregnant, I encouraged him to take her to the hospital for the delivery,” Diallo said. “At first, he was hesitant. He worried about the cost and didn’t trust the hospital. But when I explained how much safer it would be for both his wife and the baby, he agreed.”
The program launched in Senegal in 2011 but in recent years has caught the attention of the Ministry of Women, Family, Gender and Child Protection, which sees it as an effective strategy to combat maternal and infant mortality.
“Without men’s involvement, attitudes around maternal health won’t change,” said 54-year-old Aida Diouf, a female health worker who collaborates with the program. Many husbands prefer their wives not to be treated by male health workers, she said.
The classes for husbands follow similar efforts in other African countries, particularly Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso, where the United Nations Population Fund says it improved women’s access to reproductive health services by increasing male involvement, growing the use of contraceptives by both men and women and expanding access to prenatal care and skilled birth attendants.
Discussions for men also have focused on girls’ rights, equality and the harmful effects of female genital mutilation.
The program now operates over 20 schools in Senegal, and over 300 men have been trained.
