New paradigms for male participation in sexual and reproductive health in Latin America

Abstract

Promoting the participation of men in reproductive health from a gender perspective: a view from Latin America. In this presentation I will summarize some of the current debates in Latin America about new paradigms from which men’s participation in sexual and reproductive health programs should be promoted. I will share with the participants the main conclusions and recommendations from the Latin-American symposium on “Male participation in sexual and reproductive health: new paradigms” that was hosted by AVSC International and the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western hemisphere Region in Oaxaca, Mexico (1998). In Latin America, the concept of hegemonic masculinity is widely being discussed, from the understanding that the social construction of a dominant hegemonic model of masculinity results in gender inequities and negatively impacts both men and women’s sexual and reproductive health. Within this framework, I will discuss on the Pan American Health Organization’s actual efforts to develop pilot models to promote men’s participation in reproductive health in seven Central American countries, from a gender equity perspective.