On a warm evening in Dakar, Senegal, a gathering of men sat quietly as Imam Ibrahima Diane, a respected religious leader, took the floor. His message was unusual for a Friday: he spoke not about politics or tradition, but about the importance of men sharing household chores and supporting their wives’ health. “The Prophet himself says a man who does not help support his wife and children is not a good Muslim,” Diane told the group, describing how he bathes his baby and helps with household duties. The room was divided—some men laughed, others clapped, but all listened. According to the Associated Press, this scene is part of a broader movement changing the face of family life in Senegal.
The initiative, known as the “School for Husbands,” is a United Nations-backed program that trains respected male leaders—imams, elders, and community figures—to promote “positive masculinity.” Launched in 2011, the program now boasts over 20 schools and has trained more than 300 men across Senegal. The goal? To encourage men to share domestic responsibilities, support women’s healthcare decisions, and challenge deeply rooted cultural barriers around gender roles, family planning, and reproductive rights.
In Senegal, as in much of West Africa, men traditionally hold the final say over household and health decisions. Women often need their husbands’ permission to access family planning, prenatal care, or even to deliver their babies in a hospital. This power dynamic has real consequences. Senegal recorded 237 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, and 21 newborns out of every 1,000 died within their first month. These numbers are well above the United Nations’ global targets of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 and fewer than 12 newborn deaths per 1,000 by 2030.
Imam Diane’s involvement in the “school for husbands” has transformed his approach to religious leadership. After his training, he began weaving messages about gender equality, family planning, and safe childbirth into his Friday sermons. “Many women appreciate my sermons,” Diane explained to the AP. “They say their husbands’ behavior changed since they attended them.” Indeed, some men have told Diane that his words inspired them to become more caring husbands and fathers.
One such convert is Habib Diallo, a 60-year-old former army commando. Diallo recalled how, after attending Diane’s sermons, he encouraged his son to take his pregnant wife to the hospital for delivery. “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 said. It’s a simple act, but in a country where home births are common and risky, it could mean the difference between life and death.
The program’s reach extends beyond sermons. Candidates for the “school for husbands” are chosen carefully—they must be married, respected in their communities, and supportive of women’s rights. After training, these men become peer educators. They visit homes, host informal talks, and act as role models for others. “My husband used to not do much around the house, just bark orders. Now he actually cooks and helps out with daily tasks,” said 52-year-old Khary Ndeye, reflecting the tangible changes happening in some households.
The Ministry of Women, Family, Gender, and Child Protection has embraced the program as a key strategy to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Health worker Aida Diouf, who collaborates with the initiative, emphasized its necessity. “Without men’s involvement, attitudes around maternal health won’t change,” Diouf told the AP. She noted that some husbands still refuse care from male doctors for their wives, underscoring how cultural norms can create barriers to safe care.
Senegal’s efforts are not happening in isolation. Similar programs in Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso—also backed by the United Nations Population Fund—have shown that involving men can increase contraceptive use, boost access to skilled childbirth professionals, and improve overall reproductive health. In Senegal, the “school for husbands” has contributed to fewer forced marriages and greater acceptance of family planning, according to the Ministry of Gender. The discussions don’t shy away from difficult topics, either: they address girls’ rights, gender equality, and the harmful effects of female genital mutilation.
Still, the road is not without bumps. Program coordinator El Hadj Malick explained that some men initially resist the idea of discussing gender roles, viewing it as “something abstract or even foreign.” In some cases, there are fears that these conversations might promote LGBTQ+ issues, which remain taboo in much of West Africa. “But when we focus on women’s right to be healthy, it puts a human face on the concept and it becomes universal,” Malick said. He stressed that educating men about supporting their wives during pregnancy, taking them to the hospital, and helping with domestic work is about protecting people’s health—not undermining cultural values.
The impact of these efforts, while promising, is still a work in progress. Maternal and infant deaths in Senegal have declined over the past decade, but the numbers remain far from the UN’s targets. The persistence of traditional gender roles, economic barriers, and mistrust of healthcare systems all play a part. Yet, the stories emerging from communities—of husbands who now cook, fathers who insist on hospital deliveries, and religious leaders who preach equality—suggest that change is possible.
“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,” Malick told the AP. The program’s success hinges on its ability to recruit trusted leaders, foster open dialogue, and focus on shared values rather than abstract concepts. In doing so, it’s not just saving lives—it’s reshaping what it means to be a husband and father in Senegal.
As the sun set over Dakar and the men filed out of Imam Diane’s session, the message lingered: real change starts at home, with the simple act of lending a hand. The “school for husbands” may not solve all of Senegal’s maternal health challenges overnight, but it’s a step toward a future where every woman’s right to health is recognized—and every man knows he has a role to play.
