Title : Men’s involvement in sexual reproductive health – Fiji
Abstract:
Men's participation in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is increasingly viewed as being of fundamental importance to improving health outcomes and gender equality. In Fiji, cultural practices and societal gender roles tend to dictate men's SRH participation, typically relegating them to the periphery of reproductive health care and talks (Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services, 2019). However, recent evidence shows that the inclusion of men in SRH programs may lead to positive results including reduced unplanned pregnancy rates, sexually transmitted infections, and gender-based violence (Sharma et al., 2020).
Evidence indicates that in Fiji, cultural masculinity norms may dissuade men from actively engaging in SRH, only including them in issues such as contraception or HIV testing (Ratuva, 2018). However, such male involvement interventions as couple-based counseling and outreach at the community level have proven improved communication, mutual decision-making, and health-seeking behaviors (Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services, 2021). Besides, mobilizing men to do SRH activities also contributes broader goals towards gender equality, reversing harmful gender stereotypes and building enabling environments for women and girls (UNFPA, 2022
Despite these advances, there are still obstacles to overcome, like stigma, the unavailability of male-friendly services, and men's low awareness of SRH rights (Kumar et al., 2019). These challenges need to be addressed with culturally acceptable, community-led interventions that de-stigmatize the involvement of men and emphasize their enabling healthy relationships and reproductive decision-making. In conclusion, increasing men's involvement in SRH in Fiji is vital towards the achievement of equitable health outcomes and sustainable development goals, calling for a multisectoral approach that involves policy support, education, and service delivery (WHO, 2021).
Keywords: Men’s involvement, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Fiji, gender norms, health outcomes.
