From August 12-14, 2024, MenEngage Africa hosted its second annual Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Learning and Exchange Symposium in Nairobi, Kenya. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organizations, health professionals, academics, religious and traditional leaders, and youth advocates. These groups collaborated to share insights, best practices, and innovative strategies aimed at advancing SRHR initiatives across Africa.
Among the attendees was Ayaga Max Liambilah, an O3 Ambassador, who not only participated but also shared his reflections on the symposium. Here, he provides some key takeaways from the thought-provoking sessions, particularly focusing on the importance of engaging men and boys in gender discourse.
Rethinking Gender Engagement: A Holistic Approach
“The session was very thought-provoking,” Liambilah began. “It was an opportunity for us to sit down and reflect on the different challenges we face globally, especially through the lens of how men and boys perceive their roles in society.”
One of the most significant insights Liambilah took from the event was the importance of ensuring that the conversation around engaging men doesn’t devolve into negative masculinity or become a divisive “us versus them” dialogue. In some quarters, gender relations are framed as a zero-sum game—where one gender’s advancement comes at the expense of the other. According to Liambilah, this narrative is not only damaging but also false.
"There are voices positioning the genders against one another, arguing that one cannot progress without compromising the other," he reflected. "But that’s simply not true. Yes, we need to focus on men, especially in terms of addressing harmful stereotypes, but this can’t be done in isolation. It has to be part of a larger, collective effort that includes all genders."
Boys and Men: Part of the Problem, Part of the Solution
Liambilah emphasized the critical need to involve men and boys in addressing key SRHR issues like early and unintended pregnancies. Traditionally, these discussions have centered on the biological and social impacts on girls, but the role of boys and men is often overlooked.
“Take the example of teenage pregnancy,” he explained. “The focus is often on girls, as they bear the biological consequences and often face societal pressures, such as dropping out of school. But girls can’t get pregnant alone. Boys and men are part of the equation—they are sometimes the culprits and must therefore be part of the solution.”
Liambilah advocates for transforming attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors among boys and men, particularly regarding the use of condoms and responsibility in sexual health. Promoting the consistent use of condoms not only reduces unplanned pregnancies but also provides protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Breaking the Stigma: Addressing Mental Health Among Men
Another key issue discussed during the symposium was the rise of mental health challenges among men—a topic that, according to Liambilah, remains largely taboo due to prevailing gender stereotypes.
He shared insights on the Rada app, a mental health and SRHR mobile application at the University of Nairobi developed with support from the O3 Plus programme. The app allows individuals to seek answers and access mental health and SRHR support while maintaining their anonymity, thus removing a significant barrier to seeking help.
“We’ve learned that men, especially male students, prefer speaking to peers rather than professional counselors,” he said. “This is because negative gender stereotypes still influence behavior—men don’t want to show emotion in front of professionals because they fear judgment. We’ve been conditioned to believe that ‘real men don’t cry.’”
This observation has reinforced Liambilah’s commitment to fostering safe spaces for men to openly discuss their mental health and emotional well-being. Peer groups have been developed as an alternative to formal counseling, offering a support network where men can express themselves without fear of judgment.
Expanding the Conversation: Gender-Based Violence and Men's Safety
Liambilah also touched on the need to involve male students in safety policies—not only for the protection of women but also for their own safety. He stressed the importance of broadening the conversation on gender-based violence (GBV) to include the harassment and violation of men, which is often neglected in mainstream discussions.
“Male students need to be part of these safety policies,” he stated. “We have to open the conversation on GBV to include the experiences of men who have been victims of harassment and violence. It’s an issue that affects everyone.”
Ayaga Max Liambilah’s reflections were from the SRHR Learning and Exchange Symposium underline the importance of engaging men and boys in SRHR issues, while simultaneously dismantling harmful stereotypes. As the world works toward gender equality, it’s crucial to foster an inclusive conversation that recognizes the role of all genders in creating lasting solutions.
Through collaborative efforts such as peer support groups, open dialogues, and platforms like the Rada app, there’s an opportunity to transform attitudes and behaviors, ensuring that men are not only part of the problem but also part of the solution.
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