Men: Telling It Like It Is, Volume 1

EngenderHealth/Men As Partners- is proud to introduce a new educational tool that focuses on -redefining masculinity- in this era of gender-based violence, HIV, and AIDS. In this 10-minute video, the first in the series, Men: Telling It Like It Is, EngenderHealth/Men As Partners highlights three characters who take the audience through their experiences with HIV and being a man in a democratic South Africa. The characters highlight key HIV prevention messages of getting tested for HIV, choosing abstinence, and confronting sexual harassment. The video challenges traditional and unhealthy male gender norms linked to masculinity. To watch the video, click here.

The three characters in the video reflect attitudes and behaviors of men who have been exposed to Men As Partners (MAP) workshops and the impact of the workshops in helping them to make informed decisions regarding specific situations. The first character, a 23-year-old man, describes himself as a former -player.- Upon knowing his HIV status, he chose to abstain from sexual activity. The second character highlights the importance of knowing one-s HIV status early. Though he says it has not been an easy process, he had to be a real man and get tested. By knowing his status, he is ready to continue with the big plans he has for his life. The third character, a 32-year-old construction worker, reflects on how he used to harass women until the matter was brought closer to home. He now challenges men who harass women and encourages other men who see women being harassed to speak out.

Using local dialect with English subtitles, the key target audience is young people ages 15-30 from both rural and urban settings, but the video (originally produced for DVD distribution) has been developed for use in various settings.

This video project has been made possible by funding provided by the United States Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), via the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Southern Africa Mission and the ACQUIRE Project.

The information provided on this Web site is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the U.S. Agency for International Development or the U.S. Government.