BOX 2. MEN AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS The focus of reproductive rights has been on protecting the reproductive rights of women, and reproductive rights are part of women’s rights. For biological and social reasons women are more directly affected than men by decisions with respect to reproduction; decisions which in turn are shaped by issues related to gender equality, stereotypical gender roles and the role of women in society more broadly. Reproductive rights matters are crucially important to women as they affect women’s mental and physical integrity, their health and sexual autonomy, “their ability to enter and end relationships, their education and job training, their ability to provide for their families, and their ability to negotiate work-family confl icts in institutions organized on the basis of traditional sex-role assumptions”.13 Nonetheless, men too should be involved in sexual and reproductive health programmes. “Men’s general knowledge and attitudes concerning the ideal family size, gender preference of children, ideal spacing between child births, and contraceptive method use greatly infl uence women’s preferences and opinions”.14 Only in societies where men and women have equal rights and responsibilities will reproductive rights be equally shared by all. The non-involvement of men and boys in matters related to reproductive rights contributes to “the poor preparation of men for adulthood, contraceptive use, and safe sex”.15 As men are usually responsible for the decision making processes within families, including with regard to reproduction, family size and contraception use, involving men can assist in the process of empowering women. Men have a stake in reproductive rights through their multiple roles as sexual partners, husbands, fathers, family and household members, community leaders and gatekeepers to health 131415 information and services. In addition, not all men live in traditional families but still have needs related to their sexual and reproductive health. To be effective, reproductive health programmes need to address men’s behaviour in these various roles as well as their reproductive rights needs simply as human beings. Involving men can: 13 Siegal, Reva B., “Sex Equality Arguments for Reproductive Rights: Their Critical Basis and Evolving Constitutional Expression”. (2007) Faculty Scholarship Series. Paper 1137. 14 Macellina Y Ijadunola, Titilayo C Abiona, Kayode T Ijadunola, Olusegun T Afolabi, Olapeju A Esimai and Funmilola M Ola Olorun, “Male Involvement in Family Planning Decision Making in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria” (2010) African Journal of Reproductive Health, December; 14 (4). 15 Kumar, Anant, “Role of Males in Reproductive and Sexual Health Decisions” (2007), The Bihar Times. 26