RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Examining Masculinities to Inform Gender-Transformative Violence Prevention Programs: Qualitative Findings From Rakai, Uganda JF Global Health: Science and Practice JO GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT FD Johns Hopkins University- Global Health. Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs SP e2100137 DO 10.9745/GHSP-D-21-00137 VO 10 IS 1 A1 Eunhee Park A1 Samuel Jason Wolfe A1 Fred Nalugoda A1 Lindsay Stark A1 Neema Nakyanjo A1 William Ddaaki A1 Charles Ssekyewa A1 Jennifer A. Wagman YR 2022 UL http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/10/1/e2100137.abstract AB Key FindingsTwo conflicting masculine norms of reputation and respectability coexisted in the lives of boys and men depending on the reference group (male peers vs. community and family). Both types of masculinities endorsed violence against women by placing masculinity in a position of power.Reputational masculine norms (“cool masculinity”) included becoming sexually active by age 18, being attracted to women, and having high sexual stamina while respectable masculinity (“responsible masculinity”) was marked by a man’s ability to find a female partner, get married, and have children.Boys and young men who participated in a gender-transformative program expressed gender-equitable beliefs and attitudes, suggesting the effectiveness of the gender-transformative programming.Key ImplicationsPublic health educators in gender-transformative violence prevention programs need to address the male perception of dynamic, often conflicting, images of men and empower individuals to renegotiate and reconceptualize the masculine norms.Researchers and violence prevention program managers in community-based HIV service programs should consider incorporating a comprehensive gender-transformative program designed for boys and men. The program content could include condom use, faithfulness, male circumcision, HIV testing, enrolling, or staying in care if HIV positive, treating partners with respect, and caring about health and well-being.Policy makers should consider integrating gender-transformative interventions that challenge existing masculine norms and incorporate multilevel approaches that target personal, interpersonal, communal, and societal levels of change.Introduction:Evidence-based programs are needed to engage men and boys that encourage the transformation of concepts of masculinity that uphold patterns of intimate partner violence (IPV). This study explores the constructs of masculinity and male gender norms surrounding sexual attitudes and IPV among men and boys living in Rakai, Uganda.Methods:Between April and August 2017, we conducted 38 interviews and 5 focus group discussions with men and boys aged 15 to 49 years and 4 focus groups with key stakeholders to understand how male use of violence is influenced by personal, community, and society-level concepts of masculinity. We adapted 2 constructs of masculinities, reputation and respectability, in the analysis to examine masculinities in relation to IPV in the rural Ugandan setting.Results:Findings suggest men and boys upheld 2 types of masculinities: respectability versus reputation. Masculine attributes related to respectability (referred to as “responsible men”) included having a job, house, wife, and many children and taking care of family. Masculine attributes related to reputation (referred to as “cool men”) included having sexual prowess, multiple sexual partners, and the resources to buy nice things. Both masculine norms were used to justify dominance over women and IPV. The divergence of masculinity was observed among youth and young adults who participated in a gender-transformative program, suggesting the effectiveness of the program.Discussion:The gender-transformative approach should provide men and boys a chance to reflect on dynamic, often conflicting, images of a man and should empower individuals to renegotiate and reconceptualize masculine norms. This critical reflection on masculinity, which resonates with men and boys, needs to be included when engaging men within HIV and IPV prevention programs.