Men’s involvement in a parenting programme to reduce child maltreatment and gender-based violence: Formative evaluation in Uganda

The formative evaluation examines the “Parenting for Respectability” programme, a 21-session intervention piloted near Kampala, Uganda. The programme successfully recruited and retained fathers by initially conducting father-only sessions, leveraging men’s desire to improve their children’s behaviour and family respectability, and employing interactive, participatory methods. Participants reported enhanced communication with their spouses and a greater inclination toward non-violent disciplinary practices. However, challenges included societal pressures to conform to traditional masculine norms and the potential for inadvertently disempowering mothers. The study suggests that while engaging fathers in parenting programmes is beneficial, addressing broader community norms is essential for sustained change.

• Date Published: 2017