Regional Workshop

Increasing male involvement in RH programs is seen as an essential step in reducing maternal mortality in line with the MDGs and ICPD goals.

From 7th to 11th November, a Regional BCC Skill Development Workshop 2005 for the UNFPA-supported Asia Regional Project titled “Increasing Male Involvement in RH through Effective BCC Strategies” (RAS5R304) was held in Yangon, jointly organized by Department of Health, Ministry of Health of Myanmar (DOH/MOH), Myanmar Medical Association, UNFPA, and JOICFP.

The workshop aimed to:

• Review outcomes of baseline and behavior studies conducted in the operation countries of Indonesia, Mongolia and Myanmar

• Review country level BCC strategies and apply study results to strategy development

• Provide technical training for capacity building in BCC media tool development

Twenty-six participants from eleven countries, and three resource persons; Naveeda Khawaja, CST UNFPA Nepal Regional Advisor, Rose Mendoza, Field Operation Advisor from the Philippines, and Atsushi Yoshino, Director, Media Communications, JOICFP, attended.

The workshop was opened by H.E. Professor U Kyaw Myint, Minister of Health, who was followed by Daniel Baker, UNFPA Representative.

Ryoichi Suzuki, Deputy Executive Director, JOICFP, emphasized to the participants the nature of the male-dominated society and therefore men’s involvement in all matters was crucial to reproductive health.

H.E. Professor U Kyaw Myint delivers the opening address

A group work session on baseline study results saw the participants analyze the issues to be addressed and underlining behavior that affects this issue, and refine potential communication targets according to, for example, age, occupation, and marital status.

During group work

In a panel discussion, the eight non-operation countries shared their experiences of BCC interventions for male involvement, including challenges and lessons learned.

Visiting a male involvement project site in Bago, the participants divided into groups and interviewed volunteer Male Frontline Health Promoters to gather information to be used for development of BCC strategies on areas such as safe motherhood, how to reach target groups, motivational factors, and the needs of male volunteers.

Interviewing male volunteers in Bago to gather real information
at the community level on male involvement

In a BCC session on media tool development, Yoshino spoke about ‘assetizing’ technology, as part of information asset development. He also spoke on other important elements such as facilitating the creation of options and relevant message creation. Yoshino’s lecture included the following ideas:

Analysis of behavior surveys with communication theory

Regard for communication obstacles

Appropriate message creation in order to develop media tools

Application of communication concepts in BCC actions and strategies

This was followed by a practice session in developing BCC communication concepts and messages, in which the three operation countries received input from the other countries.

Yoshino explains the use of appropriate materials
to reach target groups

All the participants indicated that they were pleased with the workshop. Operation countries stated that they were now better able to translate survey results into specific BCC strategies for promoting male involvement under this project as well as acquired practical skills to develop appropriate BCC interventions.

Furthermore, non-operation countries also said that they had improved their skills to develop BCC strategies and strengthen BCC interventions.

Both groups mentioned that the field trip had been especially useful in gathering helpful information directly from the community people.

This project is expected to go to the end of December 2007, resulting in best practices and lessons learned that will translate into BCC intervention templates for increasing male involvement for RH, especially in support of maternal health.