During the second anniversary of the Nairobi Summit and launch of the first report of the High-Level Commission on the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25, President Uhuru Kenyatta was lauded for recognising that when countries respect women, promote gender equality and put women and girls at the centre, their societies thrive.
Gender transformative approaches that create opportunities for individuals to actively challenge gender norms, promote positions of social and political influence for women in communities and address power inequities between persons of different genders has now become a global agenda that requires grassroots interventions more than ever before.
In the context of male circumcision, many of the activities that surround the traditional practice focus on learning to become a man.
Kenya is one of the countries that have held up the traditional male circumcision widely practised during the school holidays mainly in August and December especially in Western, Central and Coastal regions.
Traditional male circumcision presents a good opportunity for a meaningful dialogue for positive gender transformation and a window for linking adolescent boys to other relevant community services that address social norms, masculinity and gender values.
This can support a healthy transition to adulthood.
These programmes may also address issues such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and other psychoactive substances, risky sexual behaviour, peer pressure, gender-based violence and its negative consequences for adolescent girls and young women, families and communities.
Adolescent boys undergoing circumcision are actively forming their ideas about becoming men, therefore realizing long-term behaviour change.
The State Department of Gender should find ways of working with religious leaders, community elders and traditionalists who are the main custodians of the practices in ensuring they are empowered and able to provide accurate and positive guidance to the adolescent during their passage which lays the foundation for healthy sexual relationships with girls and women.
This will also equate healthy reproductive and sexual health choices and practices among young men working towards a desired future and transitioning into becoming a strong responsible adult, one who is a good partner and a productive member of society.
Youth coordinator, Center for the Study of Adolescents
Edited by Kiilu Damaris