Impact of a Gender-Transformative HIV/AIDS Prevention Intervention on Heterosexually-Active Men Across Four Provinces in South Africa

Issues: Most HIV prevention interventions with heterosexually active adults are carried out with women. Focusing solely on women is problematic because 70% of all HIV transmission is due to heterosexual activity worldwide, men frequently have more sexual partners than women, and men frequently have more economic and sexual negotiating power than women.

Description: This paper examines the impact of the “One Man Can" program implemented by a South African NGO. One Man Can seeks to (1) change men's gender inequitable attitudes; (2) provide a critical space to reflect on masculinities as these are practiced towards men, in relationships with women, and in communities; (3) reshape men's understanding of their own and others' HIV/AIDS vulnerabilities and risks, and (4) asks men to critically examine, reflect upon, and change their views and practices with sexual and domestic violence. The current study is primary qualitative data collection derived from participants in One Man Can from two urban and two rural areas that are highly impact by HIV/AIDS in South Africa

Lessons Learned: Men articulated shifting and paradoxical conceptions of masculinity that shape anti-violence and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors as a result of participation in One Man Can. Challenges exist around men's perceptions of women's rights and changing gender relations

Recommendations: HIV/AIDS prevention programs need to strategically balance the goals of women's empowerment approaches with an emphasis on the costs of masculinity to both women and men. Working with heterosexually active men within HIV/AIDS prevention efforts is paramount for slowing the pace of the epidemic. 13-2010-->