The Sunday Mail
Wendy Nyakurerwa-Matinde
Assistant Editor
The definition of a real man was carved out at the inaugural Men’s Conference which was held last week at the Harare International Conference Centre at the instigation of the First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa.
School boys, as well as men drawn from Government, the private sector, civic society and faith-based organisations, bared their souls on the sexual and reproductive health issues affecting them.
As the gloves came off, participants told each other — man to man — that they need to up their game in terms of behaviour change if the nation is to close the tap on new HIV infections, eliminate gender-based violence, rape and child marriages, amongst other ills mostly perpetrated by men.
In the deliberations, it became apparent that real men take pride in preserving their families’ health through promoting access to health services.
A real man is also responsible for his own health and seeks health services whenever there is cause for concern, instead of waiting for his condition to deteriorate first.
A real man does not abuse his power in the household.
In as much as he deserves respect, he would never abuse his wife or children physically, sexually, financially or psychologically.
A real man does not condone gender-based violence, or any other form of violence for that matter.
And he would never marry or marry off an underage child, no matter the circumstances.
He would also never abuse drugs.
The real man grasps the import of keeping his body and mind in the right state, no matter his daily hassles.
This man, as unravelled at the Men’s Conference, also drives responsibly on the road, eats healthily and drinks alcohol in moderation.
Since he has a family that looks up to him, he understands that premature death due to irresponsible sexual behaviour, drunk driving or violence is not his portion.
Speaking at the Men’s Conference, Amai Mnangagwa stressed that men are an important part in promoting sexual health.
“We are one nation made up of both men and women. It appears to me that some men have a challenge with health-seeking behaviour,” she said.
Statistics indicate that fewer men make use of available health services while a higher uptake is recorded amongst women. However, there are many recurrent cases of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) among women since their partners are reluctant about getting tested and receiving treatment.
“Some men use their partners as proxies for their own health. They assume that since she has gone for testing and has tested negative, then they are also negative, which is not always the case.”
The First Lady appealed for behaviour change amongst men.
“You should feel right about seeking HIV testing. You can be a positive force for social change and health revolution in your families and communities,” she said.
The First Lady received rapturous applause from the predominantly male audience for her recent election as Vice President of the Organ of First Ladies for Development. Amai Mnangagwa is the nation’s health and childcare ambassador and has made tremendous progress in her bid to promote women’s sexual and reproductive health.
She has taken the campaign to schools, prisons and churches, etcetera.
The Office of The First Lady, through the National Aids Council and its partners, organised the Men’s Conference, which is expected to spread to all the country’s provinces to promote behavior change and encourage men’s uptake of health services.
