Motherhood in Childhood

ICPD AND THE ROLE OF MEN
The Programme of Action of the International Conference on
Population and Development calls on leaders to “…promote the full
involvement of men in family life and the full integration of women
in community life,” ensuring that “men and women are equal
partners” (paragraphs 4.24, 4.29). It notes that “[s]pecial efforts
should be made to emphasize men’s shared responsibility and
promote their active involvement in responsible parenthood, sexual
and reproductive behaviour, including family planning; prenatal,
maternal and child health; prevention of sexually transmitted diseases,
including HIV; [and] prevention of unwanted and high-risk
pregnancies” (paragraph 4.27).
participated in the first phase (2009-2010), and
up to 20,000 in the second phase (2010-2011).
Engaging boys through mass media and
innovative technologies
Globally, mass-media campaigns have shown
some level of effectiveness in sexual and reproductive
health (including HIV prevention, treatment,
care and support), gender-based violence, fatherhood
and maternal, newborn and child health.
Effective campaigns generally go beyond merely
providing information to encouraging boys and
men to talk about specific issues, such as violence
against women. Some effective campaigns also
use messages related to gender-equitable lifestyles,
in a sense promoting or reinforcing specific types
of male identity. Mass-media campaigns on their
own seem to produce limited behavioural change
but show significant change in behavioural
intentions (Bard et al., 2007).
UNFPA supported the development of
Breakaway, an electronic football game aimed at
raising awareness among boys between the ages
of eight and 16 about violence against girls and
women. In Breakaway, the player encounters
real-life situations that resonate with a boy’s or
young man’s experience such as peer pressure,
competition, collaboration, teamwork, bullying,
and negative gender stereotypes. The game gives
players choices that allow them to make decisions,
face consequences, reflect, and practice behaviours
in a game and story format. Through the interactive
football match, players learn that things are
not as they seem, and their choices and actions
will affect the lives of everyone around them. First
released and distributed locally in Africa around
the FIFA World Cup in June 2010, the game is
now disseminated globally through the Internet in
English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. A number
of UNFPA Country Offices and partners are
supporting use of the tool through dissemination
and outreach opportunities.
Conclusion
Many of the actions by governments, civil society
and international organizations that have helped
girls prevent pregnancy were not specifically
designed for that purpose. Multidimensional
interventions that aim to develop girls’ human
capital, focus on their agency to make decisions
about their reproductive health and sexuality, and
promote gender equality and respect for human
rights, have had documentable impact on preventing
pregnancies.
Most of the programmes featured in this chapter
have been evaluated and have been deemed effective
at supporting some aspect of girls’ safe and
healthy transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Some categories of intervention—such as providing
comprehensive sexuality education—have
also been broadly evaluated as being effective in
increasing knowledge about sexual and reproductive
health, including contraception, changing
80 CHAPTER 4: TAKING ACTION