Engaging Men in Family Planning

Evidence suggests that men’s active participation in decisions about family planning and reproductive health promotes better family health. Traditionally, efforts to improve information, counseling and access to family planning and reproductive health have been focused primarily on women. It is however, becoming evident that offering counseling and education to couples and to men in addition to women is more effective (Kenya Family Planning Guidelines 2018).

The following evidence has also been observed:

"In Mukono Municipality, boda-boda riders have been educated as champions for family planning and issues of sexuality and reproductive health and family planning. Through community forums and meetings, over 200 men have been reached with messages on family planning.”

Engaging Boda Boda Riders

1. Research locations of boda boda drivers around the catchment areas in order to maximize contact.
2. Identify and select boda boda riders to be trained on FP. Train champions in FP. Once trained, they will provide information on reproductive health information and services to their peers and networks. Use client testimonials and engage male champions.
3. Provide brochures and family planning pamphlets during the engagement forums.
4. Establish a referral system to FP services through a hotline and facility staff.

Use of Male Family Planning Champions

1. Identify and select male champions and train champions in FP.
2. Support religious leaders and prominent male leaders to deliver messages normalizing FP and contraception legitimizing men’s participation in FP. Organize sensitization events and meetings with key male influencers and “early adopters” to encourage them to champion family planning provision. Allow champions to share their personal experiences with family planning. Give information on FP/AYSRH including nearby facilities. Facilitate discussions on social and gender norms in the community with community groups, during dialogue days. During the forms.
3. Recognize the male champions during health days and events/activities they participate.

Male FP Champion in Action:

Thomas Mugambe Ssalongo, member of the volunteer health team (VHT) and community mobilizer from Buikwe, Uganda, shared:

“My mindset has changed and I am now a family planning champion in my community. I share my story as a learning experience for the youth in Buikwe District. I hope that the youth and young couples can learn from my story [of fathering 30+ children] and make better decisions by adopting family planning to offer their children quality life. I intend to go for vasectomy soon….I now have new knowledge which I want to impart to others so that they do not go through the same experience like me.”

• Reduced myths and misconceptions in the community
• Increased participation of men and boys in FP activities
• Knowledge and self-efficacy on use of an FP method
• Men as supportive parties on FP choices and contraceptive use

These will be different for each approach, but for male engagement activities, be sure to monitor:

• Monitor outcomes of activities where men are involved or participate
• Number of meetings/dialogue days held for male engagement
• Number of facilities providing services to male clients

• Increased knowledge and awareness of family planning among spouses
• Increased number of men attending ante/post-natal services

• Printing of IEC materials
• Training of identified male groups
• Meeting costs
• Promotion costs

• Institutionalize approaches to engaging men and boys in SRHR within existing health areas
• Integrate methods to effectively engage men throughout their partner’s pregnancy and postpartum
• Recognition of male engagement champions and mobilizers