On a warm evening in Dakar, Senegal’s bustling capital, the Great Mosque of Nietty Mbar was filled with the quiet hum of anticipation as Imam Ibrahima Diane addressed a gathering of men. His message, though rooted in religious tradition, was anything but conventional: he urged his listeners to step up at home, to share in domestic work, and to support their wives and children as a matter of faith and responsibility. “The Prophet himself said: a man who does not help support his wife and children is not a good Muslim,” Diane told the group, as reported by the Associated Press. Some men chuckled at the idea of bathing babies or cooking dinner, while others nodded in thoughtful agreement.
This candid conversation is part of an innovative United Nations-backed initiative known as the “School for Men” or “Schools for Husbands.” The program, which began in Senegal in 2011, encourages respected community members—often imams and elders—to study the principles of “positive masculinity” and then spread these ideas through sermons, informal gatherings, and peer-to-peer education. According to CNN, the program’s aim is nothing short of transformative: to challenge deeply rooted patriarchal norms, foster gender equality, and improve family health outcomes in a country where men traditionally hold sway over household decisions, including those that impact women’s health.
In Senegal, as in much of West Africa, men’s approval is often required for women to access family planning, reproductive health services, or even to give birth at a hospital. This cultural reality has had serious consequences. In 2023, Senegal recorded 237 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 21 newborn deaths per 1,000 within the first month of life, according to data cited by Black Enterprise and other outlets. The UN has set ambitious targets for 2030: reduce maternal deaths to 70 per 100,000 and newborn deaths to under 12 per 1,000. The “School for Men” program is at the heart of Senegal’s efforts to meet these goals.
Imam Diane’s approach is both practical and personal. He shares stories from his own life—how he bathes his baby, cooks meals, and helps with household chores alongside his wife. These anecdotes, grounded in faith and daily life, resonate with attendees. “Many women value my sermons,” Diane said in an interview with the Associated Press. “They say their husbands’ behavior has changed after attending these meetings.” The ripple effects are visible: men who once enforced strict patriarchal rules now find themselves supporting their wives’ health, encouraging hospital births, and even pitching in with the laundry.
One such example is Habib Diallo, a 60-year-old former army commando. He credits Diane’s teachings for changing his perspective on childbirth. “When my son’s wife was pregnant, I encouraged him to take her to the hospital for the delivery,” Diallo recalled. “At first, he was hesitant. He worried about the cost and didn’t trust the hospital. But when I explained how much safer it would be for both his wife and the baby, he agreed.” Diallo’s story is echoed by many others who, after attending the sessions, have become advocates for safer births and greater involvement in their families’ well-being.
The program’s structure is carefully designed. Men are recruited based on their reputation for trust, leadership, and a willingness to support women’s health and rights. Candidates must be married and respected in their communities. Once trained, these men become peer educators, visiting homes and hosting informal conversations to share what they’ve learned. The Ministry of Women, Family, Gender, and Child Protection in Senegal has recognized the program’s effectiveness, noting improvements in women’s access to reproductive health services, increased use of contraception, and expanded prenatal care.
The ripple effect has extended beyond Senegal’s borders. Similar programs have been adopted in Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso, where the United Nations Population Fund reports notable progress in women’s health outcomes thanks to increased male involvement. According to the ministry, communities that once clung tightly to patriarchal traditions are now seeing a reduction in forced marriages and greater acceptance of family planning. “Without men’s involvement, attitudes toward maternal health will not change,” said Aida Diouf, a 54-year-old health worker who collaborates with the program.
The curriculum at the “Schools for Husbands” covers a wide range of topics: gender-based violence, HIV stigma, the dangers of female genital mutilation, the importance of girls’ rights, and the need for equality within marriage. After attending the program, some men have shifted from giving orders to sharing in daily tasks. As one woman, Khary Ndeye, 52, put it: “My husband used to not do much around the house, just bark orders. Now he actually cooks and helps out with daily tasks.”
Despite these successes, the journey is far from over. Experts and program coordinators acknowledge that changing mindsets is an uphill battle. “When we just talk to them about gender, there is sometimes tension because it’s seen as something abstract or even foreign,” explained El Hadj Malick, a coordinator for the Senegal program. Some men worry that gender discussions might promote values at odds with local traditions, including LGBTQ+ issues, which remain taboo in much of West Africa. However, Malick finds that focusing on women’s right to health makes the conversation more relatable and universally accepted. “By educating men about the importance of supporting their wives during pregnancy, taking them to the hospital and helping with domestic work at home, you’re protecting people’s health,” he said.
Today, more than 20 “Schools for Husbands” operate across Senegal, and over 300 men have completed training. The momentum is building, with the Ministry of Gender Policy reporting that in some communities, men who previously upheld patriarchal norms now actively promote gender equality. This shift has led to fewer forced marriages and greater openness to family planning, both crucial steps toward reducing maternal and infant mortality.
The impact of the program is perhaps best measured by the stories of changed lives. Men who once hesitated to allow their wives to seek medical care now champion hospital births. Husbands who never entered the kitchen now share in the work of daily life. And women, whose voices were often sidelined, are beginning to see their health and rights recognized as a shared family responsibility.
Senegal’s “School for Men” initiative stands as a testament to the power of community-driven change. By engaging men as allies in the fight for gender equality and better health, the program is not only saving lives but also reshaping the fabric of family life in Senegal—one conversation, one household, and one community at a time.
