Men and Reproductive Health

In common parlance, when the phrase reproductive health is mentioned, it is associated with women. Men are conveniently and ignorantly left out of the picture in an issue that concerns them as much as it concerns women. In most cases, women are left on their own to deal with the rigors of reproductive health from issues of contraceptives, pregnancy and child birth, to child rearing.

Several reasons have been advanced for this prevailing situation. Some say too much emphasis has been made by the women’s movement and policymakers on women’s reproductive health challenges and rights, resulting in women being perceived as the ones primarily concerned with reproductive health. Others say that it is possible that women have not been able or have not wanted to share the responsibilities concerned with reproductive health. This is occasioned by the fact that this is one of the areas where they feel in control in a male dominated society. Some men are also ignorant about the importance of their involvement and their taking up of responsibility in reproductive health. There is little or no education, information and advice specifically targeted at men on reproductive health[1]. 

At the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, the need for men’s involvement in sexual and reproductive health was recognized. In the Conference’s Platform for Action it stated that “...equal relationships between women and men in matters of sexual relations and reproduction, including full respect for the integrity of the person, require mutual respect, consent and shared responsibility for sexual behavior and its consequences... [2]”. Certainly men are a key factor in the full realisation of the highest standards of reproductive health in the society. Men should be involved in issues of family planning, as well as other sexual and reproductive health-related matters, such as: STIs, cancers and infertility, among others. It is imperative to encourage men to be active in ensuring that their sexual and reproductive health, and that of their partners, is up to standard.

In many regions of Kenya, both rural and urban, men still play a key role in decision-making in the family. Some of the decisions they render have an impact on them and their partners’ sexual and reproductive health. It poses a great danger if these decisions are made from a point of ignorance, misinformation or skewed advice. 

There has to be a concerted effort by the Government, NGOs and other stakeholders in the realm of sexual and reproductive health, at offering information and services targeted at both men and women. More so this advice, education, and information should be aimed at young men to enable them make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health.

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[1] The Involvement of Men, Especially Young Men, in Reproductive Health. A 2004 report by the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Men and Women of the European People’s Party: <http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/WorkingDocs/DOC04/EDOC10207.htm>

[2] United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing 1995, Platform for Action – Women and Health (96)