Case study of a gender and reproductive health education training program for adolescent males in rural villages in the state of Gujarat, India

Abstract

This case study provides a comprehensive overview of a gender and reproductive health training program for adolescent males in rural villages in the state of Gujarat, India. Specifically, this study outlines the socio-cultural context of the study location; provides a thorough description of the origins and implementation of the training program; highlights the daily life of females living in the study community; and explores the influence the training program has had in changing the attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions on gender and reproductive health on a sample of males in the study. Data for this study was collected using qualitative research methods such as open-ended interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and document analysis. The main findings from this study are: 1) The training program has had a positive impact on influencing males' views on increasing the age of marriage for females in the study area; 2) Males are aware of the benefits of educating females and believe that females should be educated further and even study for college; and 3) The males believe this training program provided them with reproductive health and gender information that has been beneficial for their future relations with females. However, change can only occur incrementally due to the restrictive norms of the Rajput caste.