In August, MenCare+ Indonesia expanded its work engaging men and fathers in health promotion and violence prevention in two regions. In Papua, MenCare+ began a pilot project to reduce the region’s high rates of violence against women and children, while in East Java, it scaled up work to get men involved in the health sector.
MenCare+ trains facilitators in Papua pilot project
In July, the MenCare+ program launched a pilot project in Papua, eastern Indonesia, in conjunction with UNFPA. The project aims to reduce high rates of maternal mortality and violence against women in the region through work with men and boys. From August 18 to August 22, MenCare+ Indonesia trained facilitators for the project’s fathers’ groups and young men’s groups using the Program P and Program H methodologies. The participants came from different part of Papua and included youth activists, NGO activists, and other facilitators.
MenCare+ brings fathers into health facilities using extended hours
In East Java, MenCare+ Indonesia is working to bring fathers into the health sector. While most public health facilities in the region are open Monday through Friday only, one public health center in Tambak Rejo is now providing service on the weekends and motivating dads to visit.
In August, MenCare+ encouraged fathers to bring their children to the health facility during weekend hours, which was met with an enthusiastic response from a diverse array of fathers – from farmers and clerics to entrepreneurs and government employees.
“Having children is a shared responsibility, so once I have the opportunity, I will bring them to the public health facility. Moreover, with the help from the MenCare program, I have some other friends who do so too, and there’s no longer mockery from women,” said Abdullah, age 37.
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