Men's Apathy Stymies Social Change Efforts
ADECOTS Project Facilitator Asiphiwe Njako said Monday that men have shown little interest.
CHIRADZULU, Malawi - Applied Development Communications and Training Services (ADECOTS), an organization striving to stimulate positive social change, has lamented low male participation in its project activities in Chiradzulu district, writes Chilungamo Missi, MANA.
The organization is implementing the Strengthening Risk Communication and Community Engagement project focusing on social mobilization of cholera and flood-affected communities.
However, ADECOTS Project Facilitator Asiphiwe Njako said Monday that men have shown little interest.
"From how we have been implementing the project, men have always shown less interest in the project activities," Njako said.
"The project aims to reach every person in Chiradzulu and if a man does not take part in the activities, it means we are not reaching the target."
She added that men's involvement is crucial because issues like sexual harassment are hard to address without them.
Chiradzulu District Health Promotions Officer Dalitso Gulani agreed. "There is need for community awareness and engagement with the local leaders like councilors, chiefs, and influencers, such as pastors," he said.
"We want men to participate in different activities in the community and create a knowledgeable community which will assist in decision-making whether in health, agriculture, and environmental management."
The Strengthening Risk Communication and Community Engagement project seeks to help cyclone-affected communities recover and change mindsets around issues like education, nutrition, HIV/AIDS and health.
But ADECOTS says leaving out men hampers efforts to stimulate positive social change.