Men, masculinities and post-coital pregnancy avoidance, Ghana

Lead Research Organisation: London School of Economics and Political Science
Department Name: Social Policy

Abstract

This research seeks to explore the relationships between men, masculinities and post-coital pregnancy avoidance (emergency contraception and induced abortion). Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) remain highly politicised, with many people facing continued obstacles in access.

Demographic research on SRHR has historically focused on women aged 15-49. However, there is increased recognition of the need to understand the frequently masculine dominated contexts in which individuals operate.

Research has indicated that individuals' pathways and use of emergency contraception and abortion services are frequently dominated by those around them. There remains a dearth of research that critically examines contextually appropriate ways to explore men's relationships with hegemonic masculinities and the role that this might have in shaping involvement in emergency contraceptive and abortion pathways.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Men have a significant influence over sexual and reproductive healthcare, and can shape the conditions (normative, interpersonal) that women navigate when they seek abortion services. For men, how SRH linked to their masculinities was paramount. Decisions over contraceptive use, emergency contraceptive use, and whether to support an abortion or not were all embedded in men's notions of how sex and reproduction impacted their sense of manhood. This, in turn, was rooted in ideas of age, relationship status and who the other person was, as well as financial capital, employment, and independence.
Exploitation Route The outcomes have already been used by other projects that work with men (for example, at the Guttmacher Institute) to develop their methodologies and research instruments.

Future policy can use these findings to develop more nuanced and effective approaches to engaging men in sexual and reproductive health programmes.
Sectors Healthcare
URL https://www.masculinitiesproject.org/
 
Description Transforming Men Workshops 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact 35 men are attending the Transforming Men workshops in Ghana. Men have been engaged on several topics and have reported that they have found the workshops "helpful" and "educative", and that they are "getting to know themselves more". Most participants have rated the workshop facilitation as 10/10 and have requested that the workshops be continued after funding has ended.

All respondents at midline evaluation reported that the workshops have made them change their behaviour "in a positive way" (Kojo*, 23). Isaac (24) described the workshops as teaching him "life changing ideas that can help me be a better individual". During workshops on violence, men shared intimate stories in which they experienced or enacted violence. The workshops engaged men about what they could do to break cycles of violence, with one participant stating: "organizations should focus on men, create awareness and go to men or make available space like we have here" (Moses, 21).

This impact extends beyond the participants and aims to create behavioural change that can spread through conversations with friends and create more equitable relationships between men and their partners. Moreover, as evidenced in their letters, the workshops have had a profound impact on the Act for Change staff, and the outcomes of the workshops will be used as part of our efforts to build their capacity for future funding applications.

* All names are pseudonyms
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.masculinitiesproject.org/transforming-men-workshops