AIDSmen make a difference World AIDS Campaign Secretariat UNAIDS Steering Committee UNAIDS and Cosponsors: ObjectivesObjectives UNICEF UNDP andand IdeasIdeas forfor ActionAction UNFPA UNDCP UNESCO 2000 World AIDS Campaign WHO World Bank Partners: Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM) Civil-Military Alliance to Combat HIV and AIDS European Broadcasting Union (EBU) ICC International Bureau of Chambers of Commerce (ICC/IBCC) La Asociación para la Salud Integral y Ciudadanía en América Latina (ASICAL) MTV International PANOS Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA) Soroptimist International UNAIDS , 20 Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. Tel. (+41 22) 791 4765, Fax. (+41 22) 791 48 98, website http://www.unaids.org, e-mail ([email protected]) UNAIDS/00.33E (English original, September 2000) © Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 2000. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this work do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on All rights reserved. This document, which is not a formal publi- the part of UNAIDS concerning the legal status of any country, terri- cation of UNAIDS, may be freely reviewed, quoted, reproduced tory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation or translated, in part or in full, provided the source is acknowl- of its frontiers and boundaries. edged. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers prod- The document may not be sold or used in conjunction with ucts does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by commercial purposes without prior written approval from UNAIDS in preference to others of a similar nature that are not UNAIDS (contact: UNAIDS Information Centre). mentioned. The views expressed in documents by named authors are solely Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products the responsibility of those authors. are distinguished by initial capital letters. UNAIDS 20 avenue Appia 1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland Tel. (+41 22) 791 47 65 fax (+41 22) 791 48 98 e-mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.unaids.org ObjectivesObjectives andand IdeasIdeas forfor ActionAction 2000 World AIDS Campaign Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 2000 MEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Boys or men? Why men? 1 · Masculinity: Definitions · Campaign Objectives Objective 1 To motivate men and women to talk openly about sex, 4 sexuality, drug use and HIV/AIDS Objective 1.1 Motivate men and women to talk openly about sex, sexuality and 4 HIV/AIDS Objective 1.2 Motivate men and women to talk openly about men who have sex 9 with men (MSM) and HIV/AIDS Objective 1.3 Motivate men and women to talk openly about alcohol, drug use and 11 HIV/AIDS Objective 2 To encourage men to take care of themselves, their 15 partners and families Objective 2.1 Encourage men to take care of themselves 15 Objective 2.2 Encourage men to take more care of their partners and their families 17 Objective 2.3 Provide good-quality education on sexual health, HIV/AIDS and life 20 skills for boys – and girls – in and out of schools Objective 2.4 Educate men about their roles as perpetrators and subjects of 22 violence, and their responsibility to stop violence Objective 2.5 Develop HIV/AIDS programmes for men at particular risk 25 Objective 3 To promote programmes which respond to the needs of 28 men and women Objective 3.1 Devise messages, activities and interventions that address the 28 needs of men and women Objective 3.2 Provide support and care for boys and men living with, affected by, 31 or orphaned by, HIV/AIDS Objective 3.3 Provide employment opportunities and vocational training to reduce 34 the vulnerability of unemployed and disempowered men Objective 3.4 Provide male-friendly health services, including reproductive health 36 and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV Objective 3.5 Advocate for social, economic and legislative changes to protect the 37 rights of men and women and to challenge the social norms that increase the risk for women of HIV infection through men’s behaviour World AIDS Campaign 40 UNAIDS, its Cosponsors and Partner Organizations The point at which boys make the transition into manhood is not Boys or men? uniform in all cultures. In some parts of the world, for example, 'boys' become 'men' when they reach their late teens or early twenties; in others, 'boys' become 'men' only when they marry and have children. Adolescent and teenage boys often have concerns that differ greatly from those of older men. Regardless of age, marital status or other concerns, boys and men have a great deal in common. Moreover, most boys, consciously or not, appear to pattern their behaviour on that of men they know. Throughout this document, therefore, the term 'men' includes boys who have reached physical sexual maturity. Wherever the term 'boys' has been used, it is for the purpose of drawing particular attention to adolescent boys. MEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Why men? HIV affects both women and men. Worldwide, more men than Women are women are living with HIV/AIDS, but women are contracting HIV at contracting HIV at a a faster rate. In sub-Saharan Africa women already comprise 55% faster rate than men of the 22 million adults in the region who are HIV-positive. When it comes to the impact of the epidemic, women bear a Women bear a heavier burden. Men are much less likely to care for those infected greater burden of and affected by HIV – namely ill or dying family members, the care for HIV-infected elderly, and youngsters orphaned by the death of one or both people parents due to AIDS. Women are more susceptible to HIV because they are biologically Men have more more vulnerable to infection and because of some men’s opportunity to behaviour. On average, men have more sexual partners (female or transmit the virus male) than women, and therefore more opportunity to contract and transmit HIV. Also men have more influence over whether or not to have safer sex. More men than women inject drugs. Men are therefore more likely to infect others through sharing unsterilized equipment. Men play a central role in HIV transmission, due to their greater Men are also at risk risk-taking behaviour. However, factors, such as age, education, income, self-esteem, and peer relations can exert both positive and negative influences over the risk behaviours of men and boys. Unfortunately many men consider their masculinity compromised by the very behaviours that limit the spread of HIV, namely having fewer sexual partners, using condoms or being sensitive to the safer sex preferences of their partners. All of the above can increase the risk of HIV infection for men themselves, as well as women. But neither men — nor women – can or should be blamed for No one is to blame AIDS. In general, people of both sexes lead lives that pose no danger to themselves or others. When some men fail to protect themselves and others, it is often Underlying causes of due to social and cultural factors. Family, religion, customs and risk beliefs, power structures, gender roles and relations, and social expectations all play their part in encouraging men to take risks and to disregard women’s feelings and needs. In short, men's risk- taking behaviour may be better understood when viewed from a broader social perspective. Men can use their masculinity as a powerful force for change. Most Making masculinity a men want to protect themselves and their loved ones from HIV, force for change and many want to share the responsibility of caring for loved ones who are ill or orphaned because of AIDS. 1 WORLD AIDS CAMPAIGN 2000 Men and women Regardless of gender or sexual orientation, each individual has the should work together right to protect himself or herself from HIV. Focusing on men, therefore, does not mean ignoring women. Prevention programmes for girls and women need to continue and expand, but without parallel programmes for boys and men, they will have little impact. In protecting women and children from HIV infection, men must also be protected. The best solution is for men and women to work together when they can and separately when they must, always remembering that the efforts of one cannot succeed without the efforts of the other. Masculinity ‘Throughout the world, ‘masculinity’ is often associated with the ‘male drive’, greater physical strength, power as well as many problem behaviours such as violence and sexual risk-taking. The meaning of masculinity varies across cultures and changes over time. For example, in many societies men are now taking a more active role in family life than was the case in the past. It is important to recognize that masculinity oppresses both men and women. For example, men who do not conform to masculine stereotypes are frequently stigmatized for being effeminate. Campaign Objectives Men Make a Difference is the title of the first year of a two-year campaign focusing on the role of men in the AIDS epidemic. In the year 2000, the campaign has three broad objectives. The first, to motivate men and women to talk openly about sex, sexuality, drug use and HIV/AIDS. The second, to encourage men to take care of themselves, their partners and their families. The third, to promote programmes that respond to the needs of men and women. IDEAS FOR This paper contains many ideas for action. However, these are ACTION merely suggestions. Use them, modify them, and build upon them while engaging in your own experiences. 2 MEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE This metaphor is a useful way to remind us all that HIV prevention Putting IDEAS FOR as well as the care and support of people living with HIV and AIDS ACTION into requires multifarious strategies depending on available resources perspective and local needs.