Male sexuality in the context of socio-economic change in rural and urban East Africa

Addressing male disempowerment in East Africa

By: Silberschmidt M
Published in: Sexuality in Africa Magazine, 2005
Via: Eldis

This paper argues that HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns have missed the point by concentrating on women’s empowerment and women’s ability to negotiate safer sex. Instead it asks to what extent disempowered men in East Africa are motivated for responsible sexual behaviour and HIV/AIDS prevention. Drawing on research in rural and urban East Africa, the paper discusses how socio-economic change has limited men’s access to income-earning opportunities, leaving many men unable to fulfil the social roles of breadwinner and household head. Multi-partnered sexual relationships and sexually aggressive behaviour have become a means by which men are trying to re-assert their masculinity. The paper concludes that strategies to improve the sexual and reproductive health of women are only meaningful if they are balanced against efforts to deal with men’s frustrations.

Summary written in collaboration with BRIDGE and Siyanda