In One African Nation, ‘Positive Masculinity’ Is In
On a recent evening in Dakar, Senegal’s capital, Imam Ibrahima Diane stood before a group of men, encouraging them to take a more active role in household responsibilities. “The Prophet himself said a man who doesn’t support his wife and children is not a good Muslim,” said the 53-year-old, sharing how he helps his wife with chores and bathes their baby. Some men chuckled, others applauded—Diane was speaking at a “school for husbands,” a UN-backed program promoting “positive masculinity” and greater male involvement in health, family, and gender issues.
In Senegal, as in many West African countries, men often hold the final say in important household decisions, including those related to reproductive health and family planning. After going through the program, Diane began using his Friday sermons to address gender-based violence, stigma around HIV, and the importance of equality. “Many women have told me they’ve seen a change in their husbands,” he said. “Some men even tell me they’ve become more caring partners and fathers because of the sermons.”
Launched in 2011, the schools for husbands model was inspired by similar initiatives in Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso, where the UN Population Fund reported improvements in women’s access to reproductive health services through increased male involvement. The efforts have also led to a rise in contraceptive use and better access to prenatal care.
In Senegal today, over 20 such schools are active, training more than 300 men so far. In communities where rigid patriarchal traditions once dominated, attitudes are shifting—forced marriages have declined, and family planning is gaining acceptance. To join the program, participants must be married, well-respected, and committed to promoting women’s rights and health. Once trained, they serve as peer educators, visiting homes and hosting informal discussions.
“My husband used to just bark orders,” said a 52-year-old woman. “Now he cooks and helps with daily chores.”
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